Seventeen passengers have escaped without injuries after a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered commercial bus caught fire following a reported gas explosion along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. One other passenger sustained severe burn injuries in the incident.

The incident occurred at Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-bound section of the expressway. The fully loaded Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number EKY 798 YK, was reportedly travelling from the Mowe-Ibafo axis towards Lagos when it suddenly burst into flames.

In a statement, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the bus was carrying 18 people, including the driver. The fire reportedly caused panic among the occupants and other motorists around the scene.

LASTMA officials who arrived at the scene rescued 17 occupants, including the driver, without injuries. However, a male passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle suffered severe burns.

The agency said its personnel evacuated the injured passenger and took him to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre at Toll Gate for urgent medical attention. Officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also deployed firefighting equipment to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading.

Personnel of the Ojodu Police Division provided security support, maintained order and secured the area during the rescue and firefighting operations.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the agency’s officers for their prompt response and professionalism, saying their intervention helped save 17 lives. He also praised the cooperation among the emergency agencies and urged commercial transport operators, especially those using CNG-powered vehicles, to ensure regular professional inspections and proper maintenance of their vehicles’ gas storage and delivery systems.