Many people were feared on Sunday in a suspected pipeline explosion at Abule Ado in Amuwo Odofin Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos.
Houses were also burnt with several residents trapped in the explosion that left many homeless and injured.
The explosion started around 9am when churches in the area were holding services, with many of them seriously affected.
But the Lagos State Fire Service spokesperson, Shakiru Amodu, said the incident was an “implosion” not explosion.
He assured efforts were ongoing to quell the fire.
“It has even extended to the pipeline. We are managing the situation, but it is massive here. All agencies are working harmoniously to put out the fire,” Amodu said.
Ibrahim Farinloye, the Acting Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office of NEMA, also said in an interview that the explosion was not connected to pipeline vandalism.
“From the information given by officials of the Lagos State Fire Service who are currently on the ground, the implosion is not connected to pipeline but might have occurred in a factory located in the Abule Ado area.
“Emergency responders are on ground while others are still on their way to the scene. The situation is under control and we hope to get more information soon to ascertain its cause,” he said.
About 10 fire trucks had arrived at the scene while men from the Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Navy, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, and others were making efforts to quell the fire.