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Enioluwa Adeniyi
Guest
A devastating fire incident early Wednesday morning along the Ibafo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has resulted in the destruction of vehicles worth millions of naira, as well as damage to homes and livestock, leaving residents in a state of panic.
The fire was triggered by a petrol tanker that overturned in front of a commercial bank located along the expressway.
Eyewitnesses who spoke with Punch disclosed that the driver is believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel, losing control and causing the tanker to tip over, which subsequently led to a massive explosion.
According to reports, the petrol spill from the overturned tanker flowed through a drainage system, reaching a community approximately one kilometer away from the expressway.
The ensuing inferno had a widespread impact, shattering windows, damaging roofs, and cracking walls of several nearby buildings.
The incident has also left several individuals with varying degrees of injuries, prompting emergency services to rush to the scene for rescue and treatment.
Speaking with Punch, an eyewitness identified as Wasiu 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. I also learned that the fire extended into the community close to the expressway.”
A resident of the affected community, Tunde Adewumi, 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, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said the tanker driver sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Odutola said: “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.”
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