By Our Correspondent

National News – No fewer than 40 people were injured and several buildings destroyed following separate gas-related explosions in Lagos and Cross River states on Saturday, emergency authorities confirmed.

The Lagos incident occurred in the early hours along the busy Lekki–Epe Expressway near Ologuro Bus Stop in the Sangotedo area.

Emergency responders said a tipper truck crashed into a gas tanker from behind, igniting a massive fire that quickly spread across nearby structures and vehicles.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency reported that the driver of the tipper truck died instantly from the impact while two women sustained minor injuries during the explosion and fire outbreak.

Authorities linked the crash to overspeeding and reckless driving, which caused the driver to lose control before colliding with the tanker.

Firefighters and emergency teams from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service responded swiftly to the scene, containing the blaze before it could spread to nearby residential buildings.

However, the fire caused extensive damage to commercial property in the area.

According to emergency officials, at least three warehouses and about ten roadside shops were affected.

A gym facility, generator house and several parked vehicles, including buses and cars, were also destroyed during the inferno before firefighters brought the situation under control.

In a separate incident in Calabar, Cross River State, at least 38 people suffered varying degrees of burns after a gas explosion occurred at a filling station during a routine transfer of gas.

Eyewitnesses said the explosion happened when a hose disconnected while gas was being transferred from a storage tank to a service tank, allowing gas to leak into the surrounding environment before igniting.

Residents described the moment as chaotic, saying the loud blast triggered panic as people rushed to escape the flames.

Several victims with severe burns were immediately rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Authorities confirmed that although the explosion caused significant injuries and destruction, no fatalities were recorded in the Cross River incident.

Emergency services have since secured the area while investigations continue.