A heartbreaking incident has claimed the life of a seven-month-old baby following a gas explosion in the Egan area of Igando, Lagos State.
The explosion, which occurred around 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Niyi Bus Stop in the Modina community, reportedly originated from a retail gas outlet and quickly escalated into a fire that engulfed nearby structures, including a hairdressing salon.
According to eyewitness accounts, the infant was inside the gas shop at the time of the explosion alongside a teenage girl believed to be the daughter of the shop owner.
The baby, said to be the child of an apprentice working in the adjacent salon, had been playing in the shop moments before the incident.
Residents disclosed that the explosion triggered a rapid blaze, leaving little room for rescue efforts. The teenage girl managed to escape but sustained burns on her legs, while the infant was tragically trapped inside.
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Attempts by neighbours to save the baby were unsuccessful due to the intensity of the fire. The flames eventually consumed both the gas shop and the adjoining salon.
A local resident revealed that the baby’s mother, who was at the salon when the explosion occurred, collapsed after the devastating loss and had to be revived by people at the scene.
While some residents speculated that extreme heat may have contributed to the explosion, authorities have yet to confirm the actual cause of the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, emergency responders were yet to arrive at the scene, and officials have not released an official statement regarding the tragedy.
This incident adds to growing concerns over safety compliance in gas retail operations within residential areas across Lagos State.
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