Lagosians and motorists have called for regular patrols by fire service trucks on the Third Mainland Bridge or the permanent deployment of firefighting trucks on the bridge to tackle recurring vehicle fires.

They also urged the Lagos State government to complete the Iyana Oworo fire service station, a project that began years ago.

Findings by The Guardian showed that between three and eight vehicles reportedly go up in flames monthly on the bridge.

One of the recent incidents occurred on February 2, 2026, when a fully loaded commercial bus caught fire near the University of Lagos waterfront, destroying goods in the process.

Earlier, on January 6, 2026, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus was engulfed in flames near the Adekunle axis, causing severe traffic congestion towards Iyana Oworo.

On June 7, 2025, a vehicle belonging to Nigerian musician, Darey Art Alade, and his wife was also destroyed by fire on the bridge.

The Guardian observed that fire service operators often arrive after affected vehicles have been completely burnt.

A motorist, Richard Okunlola, described vehicle fires on the bridge as frequent occurrences and called for the deployment of standby fire trucks at strategic points.

“Vehicles going up in flames on the Third Mainland Bridge are a daily occurrence. There should be at least two standby fire trucks on both sides so they can respond within minutes,” he said.

Okunlola said he had witnessed several vehicles burn completely due to delayed response from emergency agencies.

“I have witnessed at least eight cars burn down on the Third Mainland Bridge in the last month. No fire truck or firefighter could be sighted and the fire extinguishers deployed were not enough to prevent total destruction,” he added.

He advised motorists to pay attention to faulty wiring and vehicle maintenance, noting that many fire outbreaks begin with sparks from electrical faults.

Another resident, Josiah Ebiam, expressed concern over repeated incidents of vehicles catching fire on the bridge, saying Lagos should adopt more proactive emergency measures.

“Lagos is a metropolitan state, so a lot is expected. Firefighting trucks can be deployed at intervals on the bridge and fire extinguishers mounted on poles for emergency use,” he said.

Ebiam added that recurring incidents of vehicles burning on one of Lagos’ major entry routes could negatively affect the state’s image and investment prospects.

Responding, Head of Public Education, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), Amodu Shakiru, said the state was expanding its emergency response coverage with the establishment of a new fire station in Yaba.

“We have the Yaba station coming up in Panti, so the Third Mainland Bridge is covered. A fire engine cannot stay on the bridge and we also cannot put a structure on the bridge,” he said.

On complaints that vehicles are often burnt beyond recovery before firefighters arrive, Shakiru attributed most incidents to human error and poor maintenance culture.

“Eighty per cent is due to carelessness or human error. I cannot buy a car worth N25 million and refuse to buy a fire extinguisher worth N25,000,” he said.

According to him, the standard response time to incidents on the Third Mainland Bridge is seven minutes, adding that vehicles could be completely burnt within that period.

Speaking on the unfinished Iyana Oworo fire station, Shakiru said the project, which began in 2022, was delayed by the fuel subsidy removal and rising costs.

“All the I’s have been dotted and T’s crossed and the project will be completed soon to complement existing stations,” he added.

Photo Fire station: Caption: Uncompleted fire service station on Third Mainland Bridge..