By Our Reporter
A gas tanker explosion in the early hours of Saturday has claimed two lives and destroyed properties worth billions of naira along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
The incident occurred around 2:36 a.m. at Tera Ahmed bus stop in Sangotedo, when a 30-tonne gas tanker collided with a speeding 20-tonne tipper truck approaching from the Epe axis.
According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the tipper rammed into the tanker, which had reportedly stopped on the highway without pulling off the road.
The collision triggered a massive explosion, sparking a fire that rapidly spread to nearby structures, engulfing three warehouses and about 10 roadside shops, including a gym and a generator house.
Firefighters from Lekki Phase II, Oniru and Epe II fire stations were promptly deployed to the scene and successfully contained the blaze before it could spread to a nearby petrol station and a fully loaded 33,000-litre petrol tanker.
Authorities confirmed that the driver of the tipper truck and his assistant died in the incident, while the gas tanker driver escaped unhurt.
Emergency responders also recovered three Sienna buses, a Toyota Corolla and a forklift from the affected area.
Officials said efforts are ongoing to clear the wreckage, while normal activities have gradually resumed around the scene.
