By Damilare Adeleye
A fire, incident triggered by a petrol tanker explosion, has destroyed vehicles worth millions of naira, as well as houses and animals along the Ibafo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
It was learnt that several individuals also sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident that occurred on Wednesday morning.
According to reports, the fire began when the tanker, loaded 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.
It was learnt that the petrol spill passed through a drainage system that led to a community about one kilometre from the expressway.
Several buildings suffered shattered windows, damaged roofs, and cracked walls as a result of the explosion.
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 on the telephone, 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 said.