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Seventeen passengers escaped without injuries after a compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered commercial bus caught fire along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, while another passenger suffered severe burns.
The incident occurred at Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-bound section of the expressway. The bus, with registration number EKY 798 YK, was reportedly travelling from the Mowe-Ibafo axis towards Lagos with 18 people on board, including the driver.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq. It said the fire broke out while the vehicle was carrying its full complement of passengers, causing panic among occupants and other motorists.
LASTMA personnel quickly arrived at the scene and evacuated 17 occupants, including the driver. The authority said all 17 escaped without injuries, but a male passenger seated at the rear of the bus sustained severe burns.
The injured passenger was taken to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for urgent medical treatment. Meanwhile, officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading.
Personnel from the Ojodu Police Division also provided security and maintained order while rescue and firefighting operations were underway.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised the agency’s personnel for their swift response and commended the cooperation among the emergency services. He said the incident highlighted the need for prompt intervention and effective coordination during emergencies.
Bakare-Oki urged commercial transport operators, particularly those using CNG-powered vehicles, to carry out regular professional inspections, follow safety regulations and properly maintain their gas storage and delivery systems. He reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to protecting lives and working with emergency agencies to improve road safety across Lagos State.
