Businesses were paralysed on the ever-busy Ojekunle Street in the popular Ladipo Market area of Lagos State on Tuesday as over 1,000 shops were shut down as a result of the deadly gas explosion that rocked a mechanic workshop on number 35 and 37 of the long lane.
At least five persons were burnt to death in the explosion.
About 60 buildings including two-storey and one-storey structures wholly housing shops were closed for business activities due to the incident. Each of the building housed at least 40 shops.
A Punch correspondent who was at the scene of the explosion counted over 1,000 shops shut down on the long stretch 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.
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Lagos and fire all the time