Fire tore through a crowded neighbourhood of Nigeria’s largest city of Lagos yesterday, killing at least one person and injuring 30 others after a huge explosion rocked a building toring fireworks.

The blast and fire led to panic in the densely packed area of Lagos, a city of some 15 million people, with residents jumping from windows to flee and others salvaging goods from their shops in the neighbourhood’s large market.

Fireworks continued to explode well after the fire began while smoke was heavy and the blaze intense, making it difficult for rescue workers and firefighters to approach the scene. Huge crowds gathered in the area, including onlookers and those seeking to help. Three tankers at the scene from the fire service later ran out of water and an emergency official said military personnel had been called in to help.

More water arrived later and the blaze appeared to be gradually subsiding.

Officials said the inferno appeared to have started at a warehouse storing fireworks, where a major explosion shook parts of the sprawling city, Nigeria’s commercial hub.

“We pulled out a body from the building,” said Ibrahim Farinloye of the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema).

An emergency source said initial reports indicated that fire caused the explosion.