A major traffic disruption unfolded on Tuesday afternoon after a high-capacity commercial bus was engulfed in flames on the Third Mainland Bridge, a critical transportation corridor linking several parts of Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city and economic hub.
The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. near the Adekunle axis of the bridge, affecting vehicles travelling inward toward the Iyana Oworo area, a densely populated residential and commercial district in Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria. The Third Mainland Bridge spans approximately 11.8 kilometres and is one of Africa’s longest bridges, carrying hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily.
Okay News reports that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the official agency responsible for traffic control and regulation across Lagos State, confirmed the development through a series of public updates.
In a statement shared via its verified account on X, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said, “A high-capacity bus is on fire on the Third Mainland Bridge, by Adekunle, inwards Iyana Oworo, affecting traffic.”
The agency further disclosed that emergency response teams were swiftly deployed to the scene to contain the situation and prevent further escalation. “Efforts are ongoing to put out the fire, and our officers are on scene managing the traffic situation,” the statement added.
Shortly afterward, officials confirmed that firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the government institution tasked with emergency fire response and rescue operations across the state, were actively working to extinguish the blaze.
As of the time of reporting, no casualties or injuries had been recorded. Authorities also stated that the cause of the fire had not yet been determined, noting that investigations would commence once the situation was fully under control.
The incident once again highlights the vulnerability of the Third Mainland Bridge to unexpected disruptions, which frequently result from accidents, vehicle breakdowns, or fire outbreaks due to its heavy daily usage.
Motorists were advised to exercise patience and consider alternative routes while emergency operations continued.
