Panic as Fire Guts Vessel at Kirikiri Canal in Lagos

Panic gripped workers and residents around Kirikiri Canal on Wednesday after a fire broke out on a vessel undergoing repairs, leaving one person seriously injured.
Eyewitnesses said the ship had been docked for routine maintenance when sparks generated during welding operations reportedly ignited flammable materials on board. The incident quickly escalated into a blaze, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air and drawing attention from people in the surrounding area.
The vessel, which is typically used to transport diesel from offshore locations to onshore facilities and deliver food supplies to offshore workers, was reportedly out of active service at the time of the incident.
During the fire outbreak, a worker identified only as Mr Ade sustained severe injuries. He was immediately evacuated and rushed to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
An eyewitness who identified himself as Bukahid said he rushed to the scene after hearing a loud explosion at about 3:30 p.m.
“They were welding on the ship when the fire broke out. We quickly moved to rescue Mr Ade, who was caught in the blaze, and took him to the hospital,” he said.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Waterways Authority were quickly mobilised to the scene.
The teams battled the flames for several hours before finally bringing the fire under control at about 6:00 p.m. Their swift response helped prevent the fire from spreading further and reduced the likelihood of additional casualties or extensive damage.
Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the exact cause of the fire. However, preliminary accounts from witnesses suggest that welding sparks may have triggered the incident.
Investigations are expected to be carried out to determine the circumstances surrounding the fire and to establish safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.