Residents and commuters were thrown into panic Friday evening after a loud explosion rocked a building near the Cash & Carry store along Kodesho Road, inward Awolowo Way, in the Ikeja Under Bridge area of Lagos.
The blast occurred around 6:30 p.m., shaking the vicinity and prompting people in the area to flee in fear.
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion was caused by a solar inverter that suddenly blew up.
“The explosion was caused by an inverter that blew up. The Lagos Fire and Rescue Service is already on the scene. There’s heavy traffic, and people were running in panic,” said Rabiu Abass, speaking to Vanguard.
Emergency services, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, quickly responded to the scene and began firefighting efforts.
The Director of the Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the incident and assured residents that the situation was under control.
“There is no cause for alarm. The situation is under control,” she said.
Despite her reassurance, firefighting operations were still ongoing as of 8:30 p.m., with flames continuing to affect the affected building.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) also acknowledged the incident, noting that officers had redirected traffic away from the area—from the General Hospital under the bridge through the Oba Akran Bridge—to ensure public safety.
Footage from the scene showed a vehicle with its windows shattered. In the video, a woman circled the damaged car, visibly shaken, and was heard saying, “I thought it injured me. Father, I thank you.”
Another eyewitness, an X user identified as The KVNG (@Teclef), shared his experience: “I was in the middle of the road, about to cross to the front of the explosion.”
