One killed, 13 injured as gas explodes in Lagos food joint

Sunday, July 27, 2025 - The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that a gas explosion at a fast-food outlet in the Ajah area of Lagos killed a 20-year-old staff member and left 13 others with severe burns.

The incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, at No. 5 Spring Garden Estate on Orchid Road, Ajah.

According to police investigations, a suspected gas leak triggered a powerful explosion that engulfed the restaurant, reportedly owned by Uchechukwu Godwill Villason.
Police sources said the blast caused a raging fire, trapping employees inside. “Thirteen staff members sustained varying degrees of burns and were quickly taken to the General Hospital in Gbagada for urgent medical attention,” the source confirmed.

One of the injured, identified as 20-year-old Kingsley Promise from Akwa Ibom State, died from her injuries while receiving treatment.

Following the incident, detectives from the command visited the site to gather evidence and later assessed the condition of the injured at the hospital. The deceased’s body has been deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary in Yaba for autopsy.

The Lagos State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the explosion and advised businesses using gas-powered equipment to adopt stringent safety measures, including regular maintenance, to prevent similar disasters