Panic erupted on Friday evening around the Ikeja Under Bridge area following a loud explosion from a building beside the Cash & Carry store on Kodesho Road, inward Awolowo Way.
The blast, which occurred around 6:30 pm, shook the surrounding environment and sent residents and passersby fleeing in fear.
According to eyewitnesses, the explosion was caused by a solar inverter that suddenly blew up.
“The explosion was caused by an inverter that blew up. The Lagos Fire and Rescue Service is already on the scene.
“There’s heavy traffic in the area, and people were seen running in panic,”; said Rabiu Abass, speaking to Vanguard.
Emergency responders, including officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, quickly arrived at the scene and began efforts to contain the fire.
Director of the Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the incident and assured the public that the situation was under control.
“There is no cause for alarm. The situation is under control,”; she said.
However, as of 8:30 p.m., officials were still actively working to extinguish the fire, which affected a building in the area.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) also confirmed the incident in a post on X, stating that officers had rerouted traffic from the General Hospital, underneath the bridge, through the Oba Akran Bridge to ensure the safety of motorists.
A video from the scene showed a car with shattered glass on the right-hand side.
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In the video, a woman could be heard thanking God for sparing her life. “I thought it injured me. Father, I thank you,”; she said as she circled her damaged vehicle in shock.
Another eyewitness, an X user identified as The KVNG (@Teclef), shared his close encounter: “I was in the middle of the road, about to cross to the front of the explosion.”;
