Pipeline Fire Locks Down Lagos Roads

Femi Ashekun/

A petroleum pipeline explosion around Graceland Estate, Isale Odo bus stop, along LASU-Isheri Expressway this morning has resulted in traffic lockdown in the entire area.

There have been no reports of casualties in explosion which followed the collapse of a 330kv high tension cable around Powerline bus stop along the same axis.

But the development has brought traffic on the expressway and adjoining roads to a standstill, after security agents cordoned off the road.

Several road users that spoke with NewsmakersNG said they had been stuck in the traffic for several hours. Commuters were also forced to trek long distances to get to their destinations.

According to Ibrahim Farinloye, the Southwest Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, the resultant sparks from the collapsed electricity cable ignited the fire.

“The electric cable collapse led to electric sparks all over the area and the sparks got to the spilled content of PMS around the area which led to the pipeline fire and subsequent explosion.

“The pipeline corridor has been known to have  spillage often due to activities of vandals,” Farinloye stated.

He said the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company and others are trying to isolate the 330kva line for safety reasons.

He noted that the pipeline explosion did not pose any threat to human and public lives.

Farinloye added that security agents were on the ground to control the situation.

He advised residents of Igando and Idimu axis to observe serious safety precautions.

The Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area, Mrs. Bola Shobowale, told newsmen she was not aware of any casualty from the incident.

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