A pipeline explosion has occurred at the Abule-Ado area around Festac town in Amuwo Odofin Local Government area of Lagos State.
The massive blast has reportedly rocked neighbouring areas, sparking a massive blaze that has destroyed nearby buildings including a school.
Plumes of smoke have been seen rising into the sky, but our correspondent on the scene says the area has been cordoned off.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that a tipper offloading sand caught fire, which spread to a nearby pipeline, triggering the blast.
The director-general of LASEMA Dr Femi Osanyintolu confirmed that the pipeline had earlier been vandalized by unknown persons.
Many nearby houses have been destroyed by the blaze while the explosion damaged buildings around the area and its environs.
The Lagos State Fire Service says there are buildings on fire in Ado Soba, Abule-Ado, and Amuwo-Odo.
The chairman of the local government area, mister Valentine Buraimoh told Channels Television on the phone that some children have been rescued from the collapsed school building.
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Below are some clips and reactions regarding the explosion, as obtained from Twitter.
Dis jst happened nw between Festac and Abule Ado … probably a pipeline explosion pic.twitter.com/kJdOIpVauk
— Abel (@abeltemitope13) March 15, 2020
Oh wow it’s worse than we thought
Abule Ado /Festac pic.twitter.com/KxU9nc4mFr— ✨ (@FirstLove04_) March 15, 2020
– Just In : Suspected pipeline explosion between Amuwo Odofin , Festac , Satellite Town and Abule Ado.
– The sound which was heard in ijegun, surulere, abule egba, Ikotun, Ikeja, Isolo, Okota, Egbeda etc. It is suspected to be Another bunkery case.
pic.twitter.com/gPCo0p6f8Q— Postsubman (@Postsubman) March 15, 2020
What you people heard in festac and other parts of Lagos is obviously just the ripple effect.
I fear for the people that love here and the students in that boarding school! It was a pipeline explosion at abule Ado!! God help your children this Sunday morning pic.twitter.com/p16st834PJ— Dawriz (@dawrizz) March 15, 2020
Pipeline explosion at abule ado Lagos this morning. Chai pic.twitter.com/rtip6Tc3Tu
— Engr. Rockflamez (@chimey6) March 15, 2020
Please Keep Safe in Lagos
Abule Ado pipeline Explosion pic.twitter.com/t74ksvMGzH
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) March 15, 2020
Pray for Lagos, see the damage to these houses. Oh my God.
Festac Surulere Abule Ado Lagos Explosion Isolo#SundayMorning pic.twitter.com/3tAS1Yc2cO
— bigTank of Doublesouth ∆≠Ω (@der_kaiser_) March 15, 2020
Verified. Abule ado
See the damages mehn pic.twitter.com/H1M9nFpbTi— Ikenna (@kennyduke) March 15, 2020
The state of Archangel Catholic Church satellite town abule ado Lagos #lagosexplosion pic.twitter.com/oyOIVwtVjH
— desmond (@desmond_d_one) March 15, 2020
After the explosion today this how my hood Festac looks like rn… Most of us lost all.. But Thanks to God for life we are all safe. Abule ado pic.twitter.com/WDGQiJGFrS
— timi of lagos (@timi_of_lagos) March 15, 2020
[10:31AM] @danonoriode: @jidesanwoolu @onlineradiobox @segalink @Omojuwa
Please help needed at Abule Ado . Gas explosion presently heading to the express @IkejaElectric @TrafficChiefNG pic.twitter.com/233pOhbFDx #TrafficChief— #LagosTrafficReports (@TrafficChiefNG) March 15, 2020
[10:31AM] @danonoriode: @jidesanwoolu @onlineradiobox @segalink @Omojuwa
Please help needed at Abule Ado . Gas explosion presently heading to the express @IkejaElectric @TrafficChiefNG pic.twitter.com/233pOhbFDx #TrafficChief— #LagosTrafficReports (@TrafficChiefNG) March 15, 2020
Fire at abule ado shit!!! Houses burnt where are the fire fighters @NigeriaNewsdesk @CNNAfrica pic.twitter.com/bI5zfeIytt
— HunchoSavage (@Hsavageofficial) March 15, 2020
Several reports on Twitter this morning of an explosion in “Abule Ado” in Lagos. Many of the tweets appear to be from/around FESTAC. Early reports suggesting “pipeline” origins. No confirmation yet. @Fedfireng has also tweeted. Praying there are no casualties. https://t.co/zqbMftcu4e
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) March 15, 2020
Back from Church and what we heard was a big explosion, phoned a friend living closer to the area precisely Abule Ado/Festac axis of Lagos and he said it was from the pipeline, Also heard that buildings collapsed and there may be casualties 💔 he sent this video 😨 pic.twitter.com/OEzR0FlfLl
— Josh T 🕊️ (@TheNeatmaster) March 15, 2020
The explosion happened at Bethlehem Girls College Abuleado (Festac Extension), AmuwoOdofin. pic.twitter.com/lJsQi24KzK#festac #lagos pic.twitter.com/9nXui38EEQ
— ThrillKidtheRapper (@Mind_Thriller) March 15, 2020
Trem festac 7th avenue after the explosion. #heard #festac pic.twitter.com/4mYmNz1Z8J
— poetic-jvstice (@ic_ju) March 15, 2020
The outcome of the pipeline explosion at Abule Ado/Festac axis of Lagos..
buildings collapsed and there may be casualties 💔 😨 pic.twitter.com/Wp75LWJQsr— ADA Mazi (@AdaaMazii) March 15, 2020
The aftermath of the Explosion at Festac today. I have never ever seen purple flames in my life before.
Just look at the wreckage to properties close to the site. THIS is Sick! pic.twitter.com/9b8OSTOzPc
— Mayowa Olagunju 💎❁ (@iam_doctormayor) March 15, 2020
After the explosion today this how my hood Festac looks like rn… Most of us lost all.. But Thanks to God for life we are all safe. Abule ado pic.twitter.com/WDGQiJGFrS
— timi of lagos (@timi_of_lagos) March 15, 2020
What you people heard in festac and other parts of Lagos is obviously just the ripple effect.
I fear for the people that love here and the students in that boarding school! It was a pipeline explosion at abule Ado!! God help your children this Sunday morning 💔😭😭 pic.twitter.com/p16st834PJ— Dawriz (@dawrizz) March 15, 2020
This is bad 💔💔💔#lagos #Rapture #festac pic.twitter.com/TgibFg8R2z
— Viky 👑 (@oduchegerald) March 15, 2020
“@danonoriode: @Gidi_Traffic
Please help needed at Abule Ado . Gas explosion presently heading to the express pic.twitter.com/XzPsDt0t3W— GIDITRAFFIC (@Gidi_Traffic) March 15, 2020
“@temilorun_a: If you have a child in Bethlehem Girls College, Abule Ado, pls come pick them up. A lot of them injured from trying to escape the pipeline explosion currently claiming properties. RT..
pic.twitter.com/8lUvul1j2n— GIDITRAFFIC (@Gidi_Traffic) March 15, 2020