An early morning fire, triggered by a petrol tanker explosion along the Ibafo stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, has resulted in widespread destruction, affecting vehicles, houses, and animals.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, left many residents in panic, while several individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to on-the-ground reports, the tanker, heavily loaded with petrol, overturned in front of a commercial bank located in the Ibafo axis, sparking the fire.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the tanker’s driver likely fell asleep at the wheel, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, which led to the tragic explosion.
“I saw the tanker swaying dangerously before it finally fell and spilt its fuel into the drainage,” stated an eyewitness, Wasiu, who witnessed the disaster unfold. “At first, it didn’t catch fire. Some people had even started scooping the spilled petrol, but after a while, flames erupted from the other side of the road, escalating the situation rapidly.”
The petrol spill, which passed through a drainage system, spread the fire to a nearby community about a kilometre from the expressway. Buildings in the area bore the brunt of the explosion, with shattered windows, damaged roofs, and cracked walls evident at the scene.
Tunde Adewumi, a resident of the affected community, described the fear that swept through the area when the fire reached their homes. “Most of us were asleep when the fire spread into our community. It was a terrifying experience, but thank God for the drainage system that was constructed, or the damage would have been even worse,” Adewumi recounted. He added that the fire injured several people and caused considerable damage to properties.
The fire also claimed four tipper trucks parked at Osadol Fuel Station, and extended its destructive force further into the nearby community. Fortunately, the fire was eventually brought under control before it caused even more extensive damage.
In confirming the incident, Omolola Odutola, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, provided additional details on the tanker driver’s condition. “The driver, who sustained injuries, has been taken to Real Divine Touch Hospital in Ibafo for treatment. The tanker, which was believed to be carrying petrol, lost control after hitting the roadside curb and overturned, leading to the fire. The fire spread rapidly, damaging two trucks parked outside Osadol Petrol Station before it could be contained by community members and police officers,” she said.
While the fire service was alerted, community members and the police had already made significant efforts to control the flames by the time help arrived. Despite the severity of the incident, the quick response from local residents likely prevented even greater loss of life and property.
