Gas Explosion: Car Burnt, Nine Shops Affected In Kubwa

An early morning gas explosion rocked Liberty Junction in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday after a vehicle reportedly rammed into a gas retail outlet, injuring the driver and triggering a fire that spread to adjoining shops and a police traffic post.

The incident, which occurred at about 6:15am, sent residents and traders scampering to safety as thick smoke enveloped the area and flames engulfed a row of shops and containers near the gas station.

At least nine shops were affected in the inferno, while the vehicle involved was completely burnt, leaving behind a blackened shell. The driver and a young child were, however, rescued from the scene.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Ephraim, said the explosion occurred shortly after the vehicle crashed into the gas outlet.

“We suddenly heard a loud explosion and saw fire coming from the direction of the gas station. People started running in different directions because nobody knew whether there would be another explosion,” he said.

Another resident, Nneka Chukwuemeka, said the fire spread rapidly to nearby shops, forcing traders and residents to abandon their belongings and flee.

“The fire moved very fast and affected several shops. The driver and the child were rescued, but the car was already badly damaged. The firefighters arrived and worked hard to stop the fire from spreading further,” she said.

The impact also damaged a police traffic post located close to the scene, leaving the makeshift structure displaced amid debris scattered across the area. Part of a nearby drainage channel was also damaged during the incident.

Personnel from the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Police were deployed to the scene.

The emergency responders battled the flames for several hours, eventually bringing the fire under control and preventing it from spreading further into the busy commercial area.

The explosion also caused a major traffic gridlock along the corridor as commuters, motorcyclists and passersby gathered around the scene.

Fire trucks occupied portions of the road while emergency personnel worked to contain the situation and clear the affected area.

The injured driver was reportedly taken to a medical facility for treatment. His condition could not be immediately ascertained.

As of the time of filing the report, normalcy was gradually returning to the area, while emergency responders had begun leaving the scene after securing the affected location.