An early morning fire along the Ibafo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, triggered by a petrol tanker explosion, has destroyed vehicles worth millions of naira, as well as homes and animals, leaving residents in shock and panic. Several individuals also sustained injuries of varying degrees.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the tanker driver may have fallen asleep while driving, causing him to lose control and overturn the vehicle, leading to the subsequent explosion.
The petrol spill from the tanker passed through a drainage system that led to a nearby community about one kilometre away from the expressway, resulting in widespread damage.
Several buildings were affected, with shattered windows, damaged roofs, and cracked walls evident throughout the area.
One eyewitness, Wasiu, blamed the tanker driver’s reckless driving for the incident.
He described the tanker swaying before tipping over and spilling its contents into the drainage.
Although some hoodlums had started scooping the fuel, the fire erupted shortly after, escalating rapidly and destroying four tipper trucks parked at Osadol Fuel Station.
A resident of the affected community, Tunde Adewumi, recounted the panic caused by the fire, as most people were asleep when it spread into the area.
He expressed relief that the drainage system helped contain the fire, limiting further destruction.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, stating that the tanker driver sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Odutola added that while the fire service was contacted, community members and police officers managed to contain the fire before their arrival.
