Driver, child rescued as fire destroys vehicle and damages police traffic post at Liberty Junction

A vehicle crashed into a gas retail outlet at Liberty Junction in Kubwa, Abuja, early Sunday morning, triggering an explosion and fire that affected at least nine nearby shops.

The incident occurred at about 6:15 a.m., sending residents, traders and passers-by fleeing as flames and thick smoke spread across the busy commercial area.

The vehicle involved was completely burnt in the fire, while the driver and a young child were rescued from the scene. The injured driver was subsequently taken to a medical facility for treatment. His condition was not immediately known at the time of filing this report.

The fire also damaged a nearby police traffic post and part of a drainage channel, raising concerns about the potential for the blaze to spread to other businesses and facilities in the area.

Emergency responders, including personnel of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Police Force, arrived at the scene and worked to contain the fire.

Their intervention helped prevent the flames from spreading further into the surrounding commercial area.

The incident caused significant traffic disruption around Liberty Junction as emergency workers cordoned off parts of the area, battled the flames and cleared the scene.

Although the explosion caused damage to property and left the driver injured, no death was reported in the accounts reviewed.

Normal activities gradually resumed after the fire was brought under control, although the full extent of the property damage is still being assessed.

Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash and the subsequent explosion, while residents and business owners remain concerned about safety around gas outlets in densely populated areas.