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Nigeria: Blaze hits Lagos after fireworks blast Nigeria: Blaze hits Lagos after fireworks blast
(about 1 hour later)
An explosion in a warehouse has sparked a major fire in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city and commercial capital.An explosion in a warehouse has sparked a major fire in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city and commercial capital.
The country's emergency services said a fireworks store in the busy market area of Lagos Island exploded, and the blaze quickly spread to other buildings. Officials said a building storing fireworks in the busy market area of Lagos Island exploded, and the ensuing blaze spread to up to nine buildings.
The blast reportedly shook windows of homes miles away and a thick cloud of smoke could be seen over the island.The blast reportedly shook windows of homes miles away and a thick cloud of smoke could be seen over the island.
It was not immediately clear if there were any fatalities nor what the cause of the fire was. Several people have been injured but it was not immediately clear if there were any fatalities.
The BBC's Tomi Oladipo, in Lagos, says he saw people with shrapnel wounds some distance from the fire and that it is quite likely anyone closer would have been worse affected.
The Nigerian Red Cross said it had treated at least 30 people, AFP news agency reported.
Thousands of people in the area gathered to watch, as the fire destroyed neighbouring buildings.Thousands of people in the area gathered to watch, as the fire destroyed neighbouring buildings.
Our correspondent said emergency services had problems reaching the scene of the fire because of the huge crowds, and did not arrive until about an hour after the blast. Some residents jumped out of windows in panic as fireworks exploded, long after the initial blaze, AFP news agency reported.
The BBC's Tomi Oladipo who is at the scene says he saw people with shrapnel wounds some distance from the fire and that it is quite likely anyone closer would have been worse affected.
The Nigerian Red Cross said it had treated at least 30 people, AFP reported.
Firefighters took about an hour to reach the scene, according to our correspondent, partly because of the huge crowds, but was insufficient to tackle the blaze.
Some residents grabbed hoses from fire engines and tried to fight the blaze themselves.
The trucks however quickly ran out of water, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Police and security officials recovered mortar-like fireworks and many empty firework shells from the scene, the agency said.
Are you in Lagos? Did you witness the fire? Please share your comments and experiences.Are you in Lagos? Did you witness the fire? Please share your comments and experiences.
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