Gas explosion triggered fire at Mile 12 market, LASEMA confirms
By Osho Olatonmiwa
A gas explosion triggered a fire that engulfed several shanties at Akanimodo Market, Mile 12, Lagos, with no deaths or injuries recorded, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed.
The agency disclosed this in a statement signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, on November 4, 2026, following the conclusion of emergency operations at the scene.
LASEMA said the explosion occurred in one of the market shanties, igniting combustible materials and causing the fire to spread rapidly to adjoining structures, many of which were constructed with wooden planks.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service eventually brought the blaze under control after traders and bystanders made initial efforts to contain it.
LASEMA coordinated the multi-agency response, supervised the emergency operations and conducted safety inspections to identify and eliminate any remaining hotspots.
The agency confirmed that the affected area had been secured and all dampening-down operations completed, adding that there was no immediate risk of a secondary outbreak.
It also said traders and residents were sensitised on the safe handling and storage of cooking gas cylinders, particularly in congested environments.
LASEMA urged residents to observe fire safety precautions and report emergencies through the state’s toll-free emergency numbers, 767 or 112.
