A gas tanker explosion in Lagos on Tuesday has destroyed 18 shops along the Agbado Road in the Toyin area of Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area of the state.

A compromised head cap of one of the cylinders was said to have caused the fire when the tanker was about to offload its content in a filling station.

The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the explosion in a statement on the agency’s official X handle on Tuesday.

She said, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently attending a Fire explosion at Agbado Road, Toyin Bus Stop, Iju Ishaga.

“The fire which was reported at 22:04hrs Tuesday as a result of a gas tanker which accidentally caught fire and accompanied with explosion which has been confined to the tanker and adjoining row of shops as concerted efforts are ongoing to forestall further spread and the environment including the nearby Kerosene Petroleum Filling Station.

“The agency is assuring the public of their safety and admonishing them to be as distance as possible from the scene while naked flames should be avoided for now within the vicinity,” she warned.

Giving a further update on the explosion, the agency in another statement, she said, “the situation is now calm as the fire is under control and further steps are ongoing to mob up the scene of the incident.

“The cause of the emergency is attributed to the off-loading of six numbers of 75–50 kg gas cylinders from a stationed mini truck to a gas shop that accidentally resulted in explosions from one of the compromised head caps of a cylinder, accompanied by fire. The ensuing fire triggered to the other side of the street with the aid of one of the gas cylinders that travelled over, affecting 18 shops in all and contents therein with the mini truck. There are no traces of casualty nor injury as the operations moved towards conclusion,” she added.