Emergency responders avert gas tanker fire on Ikorodu road

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

A potential fire disaster was averted on Thursday after a gas tanker caught fire at the Owode Elede area along Ikorodu Road in Lagos, following a swift response by emergency officials.

The incident involved a six tyre mini gas tanker, which reportedly developed a mechanical fault while travelling inward Ikorodu.

According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), emergency responders detected a leakage of compressed gas from the tanker during an initial assessment. The leakage subsequently ignited, resulting in a fire outbreak around the vehicle.

Officials of LASTMA and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were immediately deployed to the scene, where they worked to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby vehicles, properties, and road infrastructure.

Their prompt intervention helped bring the situation under control before it escalated into a major incident.

Despite the fire outbreak, vehicular movement along the corridor remained largely steady.

To minimise traffic disruption, LASTMA operatives implemented temporary traffic management measures by creating an alternative passage using a serviceable lane and part of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.

The measures helped maintain traffic flow and reduced congestion along the busy route.

No casualty was reported as of press time, while the exact cause of the mechanical fault remains unclear.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns over the safety of articulated vehicles transporting flammable materials on major roads across Lagos.