In pictures: Fighting Lagos blast

At least 100 people, including many children, have died in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos after an oil pipeline exploded, engulfing houses and schools, the local Red Cross says.

Witnesses said the ground around the explosion was so hot that shoes melted. Discarded school bags and sandals littered a school whose pupils tried to flee.

Aid workers at the scene said many people died after being overcome by smoke and others were killed in a stampede to escape the flames. The state government, however, says just 17 people died.

The fuel was ignited when a digger cut into the pipeline in Ijegun. Officials at the scene said many people died after being overcome by smoke and others were killed in a stampede to escape the flames.

Fire fighters fought the blaze with sand and water. One Red Cross worker at the scene said he feared as many as 200 people could have died.

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