Seventeen occupants of a commercial bus were rescued after a CNG-powered vehicle caught fire at Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday.
One other passenger sustained severe burn injuries in the incident, which occurred on the Lagos-bound section of the expressway.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the fully loaded Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number EKY 798 YK, had 18 occupants, including the driver, when it reportedly caught fire following a gas explosion.
According to the authority, the vehicle was travelling from the Mowe-Ibafo axis towards Lagos when it suddenly erupted into flames, causing panic among passengers and other motorists.
LASTMA personnel quickly mobilised to the scene and evacuated 17 occupants, including the driver, without injuries.
However, a male passenger seated at the rear of the bus sustained severe burns during the incident.
He was immediately evacuated and taken to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre, Toll Gate, for urgent medical attention.
Firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze, preventing it from spreading further.
Personnel from the Ojodu Police Division provided security and maintained order throughout the rescue and firefighting operations.
The incident has renewed attention on safety measures surrounding CNG-powered commercial vehicles, particularly the need for proper inspection and maintenance of their gas systems.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the agency’s personnel for their courage, professionalism and prompt intervention, saying the response helped prevent further casualties.
Bakare-Oki said the incident underscored the importance of rapid emergency response, effective inter-agency collaboration and the deployment of adequately trained personnel in managing road emergencies.
He urged commercial transport operators, particularly those operating CNG-powered vehicles, to conduct regular professional inspections, comply with prescribed safety standards and properly maintain their vehicles’ gas storage and delivery systems.
The LASTMA boss also commended the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Nigeria Police Force for their support during the operation, while reaffirming the authority’s commitment to protecting lives and strengthening collaboration with emergency response agencies across Lagos State.
