Two Burnt to Death, Several Cars Destroyed as Fuel Tanker Explodes in Lagos

Chiemelie Ezeobi

Two yet-to-be identified persons were monday burnt to death at Cele Bus Stop, along the Mile 2 Expressway, Lagos, following the crash and subsequent explosion of a fuel tanker said to be carrying 33,000 litres of petrol.

The explosion which also totalled several cars, stretched to about 500 kilometres of the ever busy bus stop, gutting everything in its path, including the wares of some road side traders.

Although the identities of the deceased persons were yet to be identified, several others sustained varying degree of injuries as they made to escape the flames.

The crash, which happened at about 5.30p.m., was said to have happened after the driver of the tanker lost control and swerved to a boulder separating both sides of the road.

The impact of the clash was said to have first caused a spillage of the product, before it later exploded and gutted everything in sight before men of the Lagos State Fire Service arrived at the scene.

When THISDAY visited the scene, a terrible traffic snarl stretched from Coker Bus Stop to Cele, forcing road users to divert to the inner roads, which were not really motorable.

At the scene of the explosion, emergency responders present were the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire Service, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) and the police who maintained law and order.

As at when THISDAY left the scene as at about 7.58p.m., the fire had been completely doused and some of the emergency vehicles began to withdraw.

Spokesman of Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe, told journalists that no fewer than six fire fighting trucks were mobilised to control the wild fire.

He said, “The serious outbreak of fire in Cele area was caused by massive petrol spillage into drainage. Six fire trucks were mobilised to control the fire.”

Also, NEMA South -west Spokesperson, Ibrahim Farinloye, who spoke to THISDAY, however said only one person was confirmed dead.

He said, “The fuel tanker was going toward Oshodi when it exploded at Cele Bus Stop. The fire spread across the entire expressway but it has been controlled.”

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