A potential disaster was prevented on Friday after emergency responders successfully contained a leaking Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker at Owode Elede, inward Onirin, along Ikorodu Road in Lagos, with no casualties or injuries reported.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the day when the tanker, carrying about five tonnes of LPG, developed a leak while in motion. According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the driver acted swiftly by pulling the vehicle over to a safe location, preventing what could have resulted in a fire or explosion.
LASEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Afolabi Olawale, said the agency’s Tiger Squad responded immediately after receiving distress calls about the gas leak.
“On arrival, responders discovered that the tanker was leaking gas onto the road.
Preliminary investigations showed the leakage originated from the underside of the moving vehicle. The driver’s prompt action in stopping the tanker safely helped avert a major emergency,” Olawale said.
Emergency officials, working alongside the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority secured the area and diverted traffic to minimise risk.
Responders also carried out continuous water blanketing around the tanker to suppress gas vapour, reduce the likelihood of ignition and maintain a safe environment while repair work was underway.
“A certified technician was deployed to the scene to carry out repairs and fully contain the leakage,” Olawale added, noting that no deaths or injuries were recorded during the operation.
He said emergency personnel would remain at the location until the tanker was declared safe for movement, after which recovery and clearance operations would begin.
Reacting to the incident, LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, urged motorists to obey traffic diversion directives and avoid actions that could trigger an explosion.
“Motorists should cooperate with traffic management officials and avoid smoking, open flames or any other source of ignition around the affected area,” he warned.
Oke-Osanyintolu also advised operators of tankers and other articulated vehicles to prioritise routine maintenance and adhere to safety standards to prevent similar incidents.
The latest incident adds to a series of emergency situations recently recorded in Lagos, highlighting the importance of rapid response and strict safety compliance on the state’s roads.
