Seventeen people have escaped a burning compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered bus on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after an explosion triggered a fire, leaving one passenger with severe burns.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said its officers rescued the occupants of the commercial vehicle after it caught fire at Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-bound section of the expressway on Wednesday.
The bus, a fully loaded Hiace with registration number EKY 798 YK, was travelling from the Mowe-Ibafo axis towards Lagos when the incident occurred.
According to LASTMA, the vehicle had 18 occupants, including the driver, when it reportedly caught fire following a gas explosion.
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The agency said its officers arrived promptly and evacuated 17 occupants, including the driver, from the burning vehicle.
However, a male passenger seated at the rear of the bus sustained severe burn injuries. He was rescued by LASTMA personnel and taken to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for medical attention.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service later deployed personnel and equipment to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading.
Police officers from the Ojodu Division also secured the scene and maintained order during the rescue and firefighting operations.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the agency's personnel and other emergency responders for their swift intervention.
He said the incident underscored the importance of rapid emergency response and effective collaboration among relevant agencies in preventing loss of lives during road emergencies.
Bakare-Oki urged commercial transport operators, particularly those using CNG-powered vehicles, to ensure regular professional inspections and maintenance of their vehicles.
He specifically advised operators to pay attention to gas storage and delivery systems, stressing the need for strict compliance with prescribed safety standards to reduce the risk of fires and other emergencies.
The LASTMA boss also praised the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Nigeria Police Force for supporting the rescue operation.
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