Gas explosion rocks Kubwa after car hits gas outlet

An early-morning gas explosion rocked the Liberty Junction area of Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday, 27 September, after a car rammed a gas retail station, injuring the driver and starting a fire that spread to nearby shops and a police traffic post. The incident happened at about 6:15am on Arab Road, and at least nine shops were affected. The vehicle was left completely burnt out.

The blast was felt well beyond the scene. Residents of Dantata Estate, about two kilometres away, said their buildings vibrated. One resident said the noise woke people from sleep. The explosion also damaged a shelter stand and signposts at Liberty Junction, and it overturned a traffic warden’s booth.

Emergency agencies responded quickly. The Federal Fire Service’s FCT Command said its firefighters arrived at about 6:30am and brought the fire under control, averting what it described as a potentially major gas explosion. Personnel from the FCT Fire Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NEMA and the Nigeria Police also worked at the scene through the morning. The driver and a child were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment. Premium Times and other outlets reported no deaths.

The explosion caused heavy traffic in the area as onlookers gathered. By the time Vanguard filed its report, emergency responders had left and normal movement was gradually returning.

The cause of the crash has not been officially established. Eyewitnesses on Facebook alleged the driver was going against traffic, but this claim has not been independently verified. The Whistler reported that some residents suspected gas cylinders or other flammable materials were involved, but it could not verify this. The extent of the driver’s injuries was also not immediately clear.