by Nurat Uthman
An early Wednesday morning fire incident along the Ibafo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, triggered by a petrol tanker fire, has destroyed vehicles worth millions of naira, as well as houses and animals, leaving residents in a state of panic.
Several individuals also sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The fire was said to have started when a tanker filled with petrol, overturned in front of a commercial bank located along the Ibafo section of the expressway.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the driver of the tanker was suspected to have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing him to lose control, which led to the tanker’s fall and eventual explosion.
The petrol spill then passed through a drainage system that led to a community about one kilometre from the expressway.
The impact of the fire was evident, with several buildings suffering shattered windows, damaged roofs, and cracked walls.
An eyewitness said the tanker driver’s reckless driving was to blame for the incident.
He explained, “What I saw was that the tanker was swaying before it fell and spilt its contents into the drainage. It didn’t catch fire immediately, as some hoodlums had started scooping the fuel.
“However, after a few minutes, fire struck from the other side of the expressway, and it escalated. Four tipper trucks parked on the premises of Osadol Fuel Station were destroyed”.
A resident of the affected community, noted that the fire caused panic as most people were asleep when it spread into the area.
He said, “It was a serious incident, but thank God the drainage had been constructed; otherwise, the damage would have been much worse. The fire injured about three people and damaged buildings. Those affected were mostly people living close to where the drainage construction ends.”
Confirming the incident in a telephone conversation, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said the tanker driver sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital.
“The incident involved a Fiat truck, but the driver’s name and address are currently unknown. The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the steering and collided with the roadside curb. The truck, believed to be carrying petrol, fell over and caught fire. The fire spread to the truck and eventually engulfed it.
“Additionally, the fire reached the Osadol Petrol Station, damaging two trucks parked outside. At the time of the incident, the fire service was contacted, but community members and police officers managed to bring the fire under control while awaiting their arrival. The truck driver has been taken to Real Divine Touch Hospital in Ibafo for medical treatment,” Odutola stated.
