Two dead, scores injured in Ojo tanker fire
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Two persons were killed yesterday when a fuel tanker exploded at Barracks bus stop, Ojo, near Mile 2, on Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Ojo.
Scores were injured and five vehicles burnt in the incident
The 33,000-litre fuel-laden tanker fell on a bad portion of the road and exploded when a container truck and three other vehicles ran into it.
An eye witness said passersby ran for safety.
The incident, he said, occurred around 8am, adding that the area was deserted for over an hour.
It was learnt that the fire was put out around 10am by Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other security officials.
Another eyewitness, Mr. Ralph Nwafor, said the tanker fell in front of Ojo Military Cantonment, adding that the road was blocked following the inferno.
Nwafor said: “I saw two bodies burnt beyond recognition. A fuel tanker, a container and other vehicles were also burnt. Many people were injured as a result of the fear caused by the fire. People ran helter-skelter, they ran for safety. Those on okada were injured.”
He said although the road was under construction, the bad portion made the tanker to fall, resulting in the fire.
“The suffering here is too much. This is not the first time trucks will fall at the bad spot. A similar incident occurred here last year, claiming lives and damaging cars. The government must do something urgently about this road.”
Lagos Fire Service Acting Director Rasaki Musibau, who visited the scene, warned motorists to avoid parking their vehicles at the spot overnight, to avert fire.
In a statement by his Chief Public Affairs Officer Bola Ajao, Musibau confirmed the death of two persons and the wounding of five others. Witnesses said the injured were many.
Musibau said the fire gutted an IVECO tipper loaded with sand, a Mack trailer carrying Sumec and Elemax generators, a parked car and others.
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