Panic as Fire Guts Lagos Petrol Station
Panic gripped residents and commuters in parts of Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Friday when a fire broke out at the A1 Petroleum Filling Station located on Isawo Road, off Agric Bus Stop.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started around midday from a diesel-laden truck parked within the station’s premises. Thick plumes of smoke quickly enveloped the area, forcing traders, motorists, and pedestrians to flee for safety amid fears of a possible explosion.
Social media videos showed chaotic scenes as people abandoned their vehicles on the road, while others tried to assist in curbing the flames before emergency responders arrived.
The footage also captured officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service battling to contain the inferno, supported by operatives of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and security personnel who cordoned off the area to prevent further casualties.
As of press time, the state government had not released an official statement on the cause of the fire or confirmed whether any lives were lost.
The extent of property damage also remained unclear, though eyewitnesses claimed that the diesel truck and parts of the filling station were badly affected.
A resident, who identified herself as Yetunde, said she was gripped with fear when the fire started. “The smoke was so heavy, and people were running everywhere. Many of us thought the station would explode, so we just fled. Thank God the firefighters came on time,” she said.
Another eyewitness, a commercial driver, noted that traffic was grounded for several hours along the busy Agric–Isawo axis as motorists diverted to alternative routes.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has urged residents to remain calm while assuring that investigations would be carried out to determine the exact cause of the incident.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over fire safety around petroleum facilities in Lagos, with authorities repeatedly warning operators and truck drivers to adhere strictly to safety guidelines to prevent disasters.
