LAMATA responds to Blue Line cable fire and expects service to resume Sunday morning

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (8) has announced that train traffic on the Lagos Blue Line is expected to resume on Sunday morning, following a fire incident on the tracks along the Eko Overhead Bridge (train bridge), towards Apongbon, Ijora Olopa, on Saturday .

The authority announced that engineers are currently working to replace blown cables and quickly restore service.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Kolawole Ojelabi, the spokesperson for LAMATA.

“Engineers are working around the clock to replace the burned cables and train operations are expected to resume on Sunday morning,” the statement was read in part.

LAMATA noted that the system automatically isolated the affected area so that investigators and engineers from the independent power plant that powers the train could determine the cause of the fire.

Closed circuit cameras in the area had alerted emergency services, prompting rapid intervention.

Also emphasizing that no passengers or workers were injured in the incident, the statement said LAMATA reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safe and smooth operation of the Blue Line, the first railway system in West Africa to be powered by electricity.

Backstory

Nairametrics reported that the A fire broke out on the Lagos Blue Line tracks along Eko Overhead Bridge (train), Apongbon inward, Ijora Olopa. A spark from an electrical cable that powers the train system caused the fire.
Videos shared on social media showed flames on the bridge, although no train was moving at the time.
Several Lagos State officials, including Gboyega Akosile, spokesperson for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, confirmed the incident and assured the public that no casualties had been reported.

“A fire had broken out on a small section of the Lagos Blue Line track at a spot opposite the NEPA station at Eko Bridge towards Apogbon. The incident took place at 4:12 p.m. No casualty was reported and there was no train service at the time of the incident.” Akosile tweeted.

Firefighters from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service responded quickly to extinguish the fire.

“A fire broke out in the electrical cable that runs through the bridge and supplies the train mobility with power. The quick intervention of the nearby Sari Iganmu Fire Department extinguished the fire before any significant damage was caused.” the fire brigade noted in its message on X.

The incident, although quickly brought under control, caused a temporary disruption to Blue Line operations, with engineers working to ensure a quick restoration of services.