Reaction as Fire guts fuel station in Lagos {VIDEO}

A fuel station located on Old Akute Road in the Obawole area of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State, was engulfed by fire on Wednesday, triggering panic among residents and motorists as thick smoke and flames spread rapidly from the scene.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has confirmed the incident.

According to the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service have arrived at the incident scene.

Reacting to a tweep who called his attention to the incident, Gawat said, “Our people are on the ground, it seems the fire started from a Building behind the filling station.”

Residents and motorists were seen in panic mode as they scuttled in different directions from the raging inferno.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at about 4 pm, after a sudden blast rocked the facility, attracting passers-by and residents around K Farms Estate in the council area.

Residents alleged that the inferno started from the underground fuel tanks before spreading to other parts of the station, which prompted the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to barricade the entrance to prevent human interference in the rescue operations.

Spokesperson for the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, Shakiru Amodu, said that the inferno was immediately curtailed from spreading to adjoining property.

As of 6pm, emergency responders have put the incident under control as they cordoned off the area.

Also, it was gathered that a fire broke out around the Victoria Island, VI, axis of the state, with firefighters battling to put out the fire.

The fire gutted a building opposite the Silverbird Galleria along the Ahmadu Bello Way.

Fortunately, there was no loss of life in either incident.

According to Amodu, the V.I. incident occurred at about 5.22pm and the emergency rescue team stormed the premises 22 minutes later, attributing the delay to traffic along the axis.

“We got the information that the building on 151 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, opposite Silverbird Galleria, was on fire at about 17:22hrs.

“The team from Oniru was immediately deployed to the location to prevent the spread to adjoining buildings. The situation is now under control,” Amodu added.