A female adult narrowly escaped death following a chemical explosion that led to a fierce inferno at 291 Old-Abeokuta Motor Road, opposite Vetland Secondary School, Agege, Lagos, on Friday evening.
The explosion, which occurred around 6 p.m., caused a massive fire, but emergency responders were able to rescue the woman from the perilous situation.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service responded swiftly, with the Agege Fire and Rescue crew arriving promptly at the scene to control the fire.
Firefighters battled the raging blaze, which was triggered by the explosion of several kegs of unknown chemicals stored in an open, fenced land area.
According to Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, the Director of Lagos Fire Service, initial investigations suggest that the explosion was caused by the chemicals being stored in an unprotected manner, exposed directly to sunlight. The chemicals, which were stored without any safety measures, are believed to have been the primary catalyst for the catastrophic fire.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the fire was as a result of the chemicals being exposed to the sun’s heat,” Adeseye said. “The lack of proper storage and protection from direct sunlight was a key factor in the explosion.”
The explosion sent plumes of smoke into the air, which could be seen from several streets away. Emergency responders quickly evacuated the area, as fears of further explosions heightened. Fortunately, the woman, who was nearby when the explosion occurred, was rescued from the scene by the fire service and other emergency teams.
“The lady who was caught in the explosion sustained first-degree burns and is currently responding well to treatment,” Adeseye added. “Our teams acted quickly to minimize further risk to the area and save her life.”
The authorities are now working to identify the owner of the chemicals and ascertain the exact nature of the substances involved in the explosion. Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the storage of chemicals in a residential area and whether the property owner followed safety regulations regarding chemical storage.
Mrs. Adeseye emphasized that the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of improper chemical storage. “We urge the public to ensure that chemicals, especially hazardous ones, are stored safely and are not exposed to extreme conditions like direct sunlight, which can lead to deadly explosions.”
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, along with other emergency responders, continues to investigate the incident to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
As the investigation progresses, the community remains on alert, as the authorities seek to uncover the full extent of the chemical hazards in the area. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of storing chemicals in residential neighborhoods, where the risk to both life and property can be substantial.
