A Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle operated by the Lagos State government burst into flames on the crucial Third Mainland Bridge on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, triggering severe traffic gridlock. The incident, which happened around 1:00 p.m., brought movement to a standstill on the Adekunle axis heading towards Iyana Oworo.
Emergency Response and Traffic Management
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) swiftly confirmed the event through its official X (formerly Twitter) account. Authorities reported that emergency teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. "Efforts are ongoing to put out the fire, and our officers are on scene managing the traffic situation," LASTMA stated in their update.
Traffic officers were strategically deployed to control the flow of vehicles and mitigate the growing gridlock while firefighting operations continued. The quick response aimed to prevent a total paralysis of the vital transport corridor.
Major Commuter Route Paralyzed
The Third Mainland Bridge is arguably Lagos's busiest transport artery, facilitating the daily movement of thousands of vehicles between the Lagos Mainland and the Island. Any incident on this bridge has immediate and widespread consequences.
This fire caused significant disruption, leading to:
- Heavy congestion and long vehicular queues.
- Spillover traffic affecting alternative routes.
- Extended travel times for commuters heading to Iyana Oworo, Yaba, and adjoining areas.
The bridge's importance means even a brief stoppage can cascade into hours of delay for countless Lagos residents.
A Recurring Safety Concern
This is not an isolated event. Over the past few years, Lagos has recorded several incidents where BRT buses have caught fire under various circumstances. These repeated occurrences raise serious questions about vehicle maintenance and safety protocols.
The pattern underscores an urgent need for:
- Regular and rigorous vehicle maintenance checks for the public transport fleet.
- Stricter safety inspections to identify and rectify potential hazards before they lead to emergencies.
- Proactive measures to ensure passenger safety and prevent such incidents that disrupt the city's already strained traffic flow.
While no casualties were immediately reported in this latest fire, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for enhanced safety standards in Lagos's public transportation system.
