A gas explosion in Ladipo Market kills five people, forcing the closure of over 1,000 stores.

A gas explosion in Ladipo Market kills five people, forcing the closure of over 1,000 stores.

Over 1,000 shops in the Ladipo spare parts market have been closed due to a deadly explosion.

Businesses were shut down on the ever-busy Ojekunle Street in Lagos State’s popular Ladipo Market area on Tuesday as a result of a deadly gas explosion that rocked a mechanic workshop on numbers 35 and 37 of the long lane.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that at least five people were burnt to death when the explosion rocked a mechanic’s premises at around 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

About 60 buildings, including two-story and one-story structures wholly housing shops, are closed for business activities due to the incident. Each of the buildings housed at least 40 shops.

Our correspondent who was at the scene of the explosion counted over 1,000 shops shutting down on the long stretch of road.

A trade union official also confirmed to The PUNCH that the over 1,000 members of the association didn’t open for the day’s business because of the explosion.

Security operatives and emergency responders have cordoned off the area as rescue operations and on-the-spot assessment continue.

Hundreds of traders were seen in front of their shops discussing in twos and threes as first responders evacuate burnt bodies of victims.

A trader and member who identified himself as Chukwuemeka Stephen said the traders shut down in solidarity.

“Nobody is talking business today when five persons died. Those who died can’t talk about business. We are closed today,” he said.

Another trader, Ifeanyi Ikenna, said he arrived at around 9 a.m. just after the explosion.

Ikenna, whose shop was beside the explosion site, gave thanks to God for the ‘miracle’.

He said, “My being alive is by God. Nobody is talking business. People died tragically. And it is so sad. We are closed for today and maybe tomorrow.”

The chairman of the Mechanic Arm of the market, Sowemimo Babatunde, declined comments when our correspondent approached him on Tuesday.

Our correspondent observed that Babatunde and some other officials of the market went in for an emergency meeting as of press time.

Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, while addressing newsmen at the scene, said, “Once the place is okay for human activities, the whole place would be opened. I cannot say one hour, two hours, three hours; it is for the experts to do that.”

The Ladipo Market, popularly known for spare parts and other vehicle accessories, also accommodates mechanics and other automobile technicians, amongst others.

The market is one of the largest spare parts hubs in Nigeria.