A car crash triggered a gas explosion at Liberty Junction, Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday, injuring the driver and damaging several structures, including a police traffic post.
The incident occurred at about 6:15am when the vehicle reportedly rammed into a gas retail station.
The impact sparked a fire that quickly spread to nearby shops and a container close to the station.
At least nine shops were affected by the inferno.
The vehicle was completely burnt, leaving behind a blackened wreck after firefighters brought the blaze under control.
The driver and a little child were rescued from the scene.
The injured driver was subsequently rushed to a medical facility for treatment.
The extent of his injuries was not immediately known as of the time of filing this report.
The explosion also damaged and displaced a police traffic post near the gas station.
A section of the nearby drainage was also damaged during the incident.
Emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigeria Police, were deployed to the scene.
The agencies worked to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the busy commercial area.
The incident caused a heavy traffic gridlock along the corridor as commuters, motorcyclists, residents and passersby gathered around the scene.
Fire trucks occupied portions of the road while emergency personnel cleared debris and secured the area.
By the time of filing, normal activities were gradually returning to the area as emergency responders left the scene.
The cause of the crash had yet to be officially established.