KEY POINTS
-
LASTMA rescued 17 people after a CNG bus caught fire in Lagos.
-
One passenger sustained severe burns and was taken to a trauma centre.
-
LASTMA urged CNG bus operators to conduct regular safety inspections.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has rescued 17 passengers after a compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered commercial bus caught fire following a reported gas explosion along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
One other passenger sustained severe burn injuries in the incident, which occurred at Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-bound section of the expressway.
The incident involved a fully occupied bus carrying 18 people, including the driver, from the Mowe-Ibafo area towards Lagos. The fire reportedly triggered panic among passengers and other motorists travelling along the busy road.
LASTMA confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.
LASTMA rescues 17 occupants
According to the authority, the bus, with registration number EKY 798 YK, caught fire while travelling towards Lagos.
LASTMA personnel quickly mobilised to the scene and coordinated an emergency evacuation, successfully rescuing 17 occupants, including the driver, without injuries.
However, one male passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle suffered severe burns during the incident.
The injured passenger was evacuated from the scene and taken to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for urgent medical treatment.
The authority said the swift intervention of its personnel helped prevent further injuries among the passengers and other road users who were caught up in the incident.
Fire service and police support rescue operation
Officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also responded to the emergency and successfully extinguished the fire.
Their intervention prevented the flames from spreading further and potentially affecting other vehicles or nearby areas.
Personnel from the Ojodu Police Division were equally deployed to the scene to provide security and maintain order throughout the rescue and firefighting operations.
LASTMA commended the supporting agencies for their cooperation, noting that the coordinated response helped manage the situation and ensure the safe evacuation of the passengers.
LASTMA urges CNG bus operators to observe safety standards
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised the authority’s personnel for their courage, professionalism and prompt response to the emergency.
He said the incident demonstrated the importance of rapid emergency intervention, cooperation among government agencies and the availability of adequately trained personnel in managing road emergencies.
Bakare-Oki also urged commercial transport operators, particularly those operating CNG-powered vehicles, to prioritise regular professional inspections and comply with established safety requirements.
He specifically advised operators to ensure that their vehicles’ gas storage and delivery systems were properly maintained to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
The LASTMA general manager reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting lives, maintaining smooth traffic movement and strengthening cooperation with emergency response organisations across Lagos State.
He also expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Nigeria Police Force for their assistance during the operation.
