Fire Outbreak Sparks Chaos On One Of Africa’s Busiest Bridges
Commuters in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital and most populous city, experienced severe delays on Tuesday afternoon after a commercial passenger bus caught fire on the Third Mainland Bridge, disrupting movement across a key section of the roadway.
The fire incident took place near Adekunle, a central neighbourhood linking Lagos Mainland to Lagos Island, at approximately 1:00 p.m. Vehicles heading toward Iyana Oworo were particularly affected, leading to long queues and traffic congestion stretching across multiple access points.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the government agency charged with managing traffic flow and enforcing road regulations in Lagos State, confirmed the incident through official communications released on its social media platform.
According to the agency, “A high-capacity bus is on fire on the Third Mainland Bridge, by Adekunle, inwards Iyana Oworo, affecting traffic.”
Emergency Response And Traffic Control Efforts
Officials noted that traffic officers were immediately dispatched to the scene to control vehicular movement and ensure public safety. “Efforts are ongoing to put out the fire, and our officers are on scene managing the traffic situation,” the authority stated.
In a subsequent update, firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the location and began coordinated efforts to extinguish the flames and secure the affected area.
No injuries or loss of life had been reported at the time of filing this report.
Authorities also disclosed that the cause of the fire remained unknown and would be investigated following the conclusion of emergency operations.
Recurring Challenges On A Vital Transport Link
The Third Mainland Bridge, which stretches 11.8 kilometres across the Lagos Lagoon, serves as a vital connection between mainland districts and Lagos Island, where many government offices, businesses, and financial institutions are located.
Due to its strategic importance and heavy daily traffic volume, even minor incidents often result in widespread disruption, affecting thousands of commuters across the metropolis.
Road users were advised to remain calm, follow official traffic directives, and seek alternative routes where possible.
