Communities along LASU-Igando Road, Lagos State, have been thrown into blackouts that may last for days as high-tension cables fell across the highway and sparked off a fire.
learnt that the fire was ignited by the contact of the spark with the spilled fuel from a vandalised pipeline along Peace Estate, Baruwa, Ipaja area of the state.
Vehicular movement around the affected area was restricted for about nine hours as emergency officials battled to put out the fire remove the fallen cables as well as collapsed electric poles.
Traffic was diverted though Governor’s Road to Ikotun, thereby compounding gridlock in the neighbourhood as commuters embarked on last-minute yuletide shopping, among other activities.
The coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, South-West zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, said on Friday morning that the the explosion did not pose any threat to human and public lives.
He said, “The electric cable collapse led to electric sparks all over the area and the sparks got to the spilled content of PMS (petroleum motor spirit) around the area which led to the pipeline gutting fire and the subsequent explosion. The pipeline corridor has been known for spillage often due to activities of vandals.
Read Also:
“Traffic was diverted though Governor’s Road to Ikotun while efforts are on by Ikeja Electric to dismantle the poles and remove the cables crossing the highway. No life was lost and no one sustained any injury.”
Giving an update on the incident on Friday evening, Farinloye told our correspondent that the vehicular movement had been restored, adding that officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria were still evacuating fallen cables and poles.
He stated, “The road was blocked around 7am to ensure smooth operation. It was opened around 4pm. The fire didn’t affect any property. TCN and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are still working at the site but there is no threat to life.”
Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Adeseye Margaret, in a statement on Friday, said the fire outbreak was reported at 12.30am on the Christmas eve, noting that the fire was prevented from spreading.
“Members of the public are advised to go about their legitimate activities without any fear as it will take a while for the remains of the petroleum products to dry up in the pipeline,” the statement added.
Also the NSCDC Commandant in Lagos, Eweka Okoro, urged residents of the area to be vigilant to avoid fire explosions, especially during yuletide.
