Gas explosion destroys three shops and vehicles in Jigawa

Panic swept through Hadejia town in Jigawa State on Saturday evening after a fire erupted at a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) retail outlet on Katagum Road, destroying three shops, two vehicles and a motorcycle.
The blaze began when a gas delivery truck arrived to unload supplies, witnesses said.

Reports from the scene indicate that the fire was sparked during the preparation of a local dish called awara near the gas facility. An open flame allegedly came into contact with the gas, causing an explosion that quickly escalated into a major fire.

The explosion triggered widespread panic, prompting residents and traders to flee the area for safety. Some attempted to salvage goods from nearby shops before the fire spread further.

One eyewitness described the incident as frightening, noting that the explosions sounded “like bomb blasts” as several gas cylinders burst one after another.

“We saw thick smoke covering the area, and everyone started running,” the witness said.

Fire service personnel, assisted by security agencies, responded promptly and managed to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading to additional buildings.

Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Jigawa State Police Command, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, stated that no lives were lost in the fire.

He added that three shops were completely destroyed, while two vehicles and one motorcycle were burned during the incident.

“The fire was successfully extinguished with the support of other security agencies,” he said.

Although the exact value of the property damage has not yet been determined, residents estimate the losses to run into millions of naira.

Eyewitnesses also reported that more than 10 gas cylinders exploded during the inferno.