The fire outbreak occurred when the tanker, loaded with petrol, overturned in front of a commercial bank on the Ibafo section of the expressway.
Many people were reportedly injured while several vehicles and houses were burnt in a fire incident that occurred along the Ibafo area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expresswayb in Ogun State in the early hours of Wednesday.
It was reported that the fire, which was sparked by an overturned petrol tanker, wreaked havoc in the area, burning vehicles worth millions of Naira as well as homes and livestock.
The fire outbreak occurred when the tanker, loaded with petrol, overturned in front of a commercial bank on the Ibafo section of the expressway.
Witnesses told PUNCH that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, leading to a loss of control, the tanker’s fall, and the subsequent explosion.
The petrol spill reportedly flowed through a drainage system, affecting a community about a kilometer away.
A witness identified as Wasiu who reported attributed the incident to reckless driving was quoted as saying, “I saw the tanker swaying before it fell and spilled its contents into the drainage. It didn’t ignite right away, as some people began scooping up the fuel.
“However, after a few minutes, a fire broke out from the other side of the expressway and quickly escalated. Four tipper trucks parked at the Osadol Fuel Station were destroyed, and the fire spread into the nearby community.”
Another resident of the area identified as Tunde Adewumi, said that many people in the area were asleep when the fire reached them.
Adewumi said, “It was a serious incident, but thankfully the drainage was there; otherwise, the damage would have been much worse.
“The fire injured about three people and damaged several buildings, particularly affecting those living near the drainage’s end.”
Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said that the tanker driver was injured and taken to the hospital.
The police spokesperson said, “The incident involved a Fiat truck, but we don’t have the driver’s name or address yet.
“It occurred when the driver lost control and collided with the roadside curb, causing the tanker to overturn and ignite. The fire then spread to the truck and eventually engulfed it.
“Additionally, the flames reached the Osadol Petrol Station, damaging two trucks parked outside.
“The fire service was contacted, but local community members and police officers managed to contain it while waiting for their arrival.
“The truck driver has been taken to Real Divine Touch Hospital in Ibafo for medical treatment.”