No fewer than 18 shops were confirmed to have been destroyed in a gas explosion that occurred at Agbado Road in the Toyin area of Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State late on Tuesday.

The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, gave the update in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday.

It was reported that a yet-to-be-ascertained number of shops with goods were destroyed in the fire that occurred when a gas tanker caught fire in the area.

Giving an update on the fire, Adeseye said the explosion was caused by six 75-50 (kg) gas cylinders being unloaded from a mini truck at a gas station.

She added that the fire spread to the opposite side of the street, destroying a total of 18 shops and their contents along with the mini truck.

The statement read, “The cause of the emergency is attributed to the off-loading of six numbers of 75-50(kg) gas cylinders sizes from a stationed mini truck to a gas shop that accidentally resulted in explosion from one of the compromised head cap of a cylinder accompanied by fire.

“The ensuing fire triggered to the other side of the street with the aid of one of the gas cylinders that travelled over, affecting 18 shops in all and contents therein with the mini truck.”

Adeseye noted that there were no signs of casualties or injuries.

END.