Tragedy As Baby Burnt To Death In Lagos Gas Shop Fire

A seven-month-old baby was burnt to death on Tuesday following a gas explosion at a retail shop in Egan, Igando area of Lagos State.

The incident occurred around 1pm at Niyi Bus Stop in the Modina area, residents said.

According to eyewitness accounts, the infant and a teenage girl were inside the gas shop when the explosion happened. The blast sparked a fire that quickly spread to a hairdressing salon beside the shop.

A source who witnessed the incident said the baby was the daughter of an apprentice at the salon. She had been left playing in the gas outlet with the owner’s daughter at the time of the explosion.

“The explosion happened around 1pm and affected both the gas shop and the salon next to it. The baby, who belongs to one of the salon apprentices, was playing there with a teenager believed to be the gas shop owner’s daughter when it occurred,” the source stated.

Another resident, Taofeek Adekunle, said efforts to rescue the child were unsuccessful due to the intensity of the fire.

He said the teenager was able to escape but sustained burns on both legs.

“When it happened, the teenager ran out and survived but the baby was left behind. Those in the salon including the baby’s mother also ran out. The baby tried to crawl out but the fire was too much for anyone to enter. That was how she died,” Taofeek explained.

He added that the baby’s mother collapsed after the incident and had to be revived by residents.

Both the gas shop and the adjoining salon were razed by the fire.

Some residents speculated that the extreme afternoon heat may have caused the explosion, but officials were yet to confirm the cause as of press time.

Personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service had not arrived at the scene when this report was filed. The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, also had not responded to calls and messages seeking confirmation.