Sixteen passengers have escaped unhurt after a Compressed Natural Gas, CNG-powered commercial bus exploded into flames along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, while one other passenger sustained severe burn injuries.
The incident occurred at Berger Bus Stop along the Lagos-bound section of the expressway when the fully loaded Hiace bus, with registration number EKY 798 YK, reportedly caught fire following a gas explosion.
A statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, said the vehicle had 18 occupants, including the driver, who were travelling from the Mowe-Ibafo axis towards Lagos when the fire broke out, causing panic among passengers and other motorists.
According to the agency, its officers quickly arrived at the scene and rescued 18 occupants, including the driver, with one passenger injured.
However, one male passenger seated at the rear of the bus suffered severe burns during the incident. LASTMA personnel immediately evacuated him and rushed him to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre, Toll Gate, for urgent medical attention.
Officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also responded to the incident, deploying firefighting equipment to put out the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further.
Personnel of the Ojodu Police Division provided security support at the scene, maintaining order and securing the area throughout the rescue and firefighting operations.
Commending the emergency response, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised the agency's personnel for their courage, quick intervention and professionalism, which he said helped save 17 lives.
He also acknowledged the cooperation among the different emergency response agencies involved in the operation.
"The incident once again underscores the indispensable importance of rapid emergency response, effective inter-agency synergy and the deployment of adequately trained personnel in mitigating the potentially devastating consequences of road-related incidents," Bakare-Oki said.
The LASTMA boss further urged commercial transport operators, particularly those using CNG-powered vehicles, to ensure regular professional inspections and proper maintenance of their vehicles.
He stressed the need for operators to comply with prescribed safety standards and pay particular attention to the maintenance of their vehicles' gas storage and delivery systems.
