News
13 Killed, Others Injured in Fire Accident along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
Photo Credit: Sodiq Adelakun via PUNCH
No Fewer than 13 people have been killed and 5 vehicles razed in a fire incident at the Lotto area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, PUNCH Metro has learnt.
Four other persons were injured in the inferno, including an official of the Ogun State Fire Service, identified as Ayodele Adetayo.
The injured victims were said to have been rushed to private hospitals before being transferred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
The report said that at about 3 PM on Monday, a fuel tanker belonging to Total Nigeria Plc had fallen as it tried to avoid crashing into a herd of cows walking on the expressway, killing four of the cows and spilling some of the fuel on the road and into the gutter.
The herdsmen fled the scene immediately as residents attempted to mob them.
Policemen from the Redemption Camp division were said to have removed the dead cows, and contacted Total to send another truck for fuel transfer.
At about 11 PM on Monday, the other tanker had loaded the fuel from the fallen tanker which was then towed. This was done with the help of Ogun State Fire Service Officials.
It was gathered that some residents came out and started scooping the fuel spilled into the gutter when a Sports Utility Vehicle which had a burst tire drove on its rim and ignited a fire at about 1 AM
The fire was said to have engulfed an 18-seater bus driving behind it, two Hilux vans, a Dangote truck and a fire service truck, which was rounding off operation.
Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi who confirmed the incident said:
The road was soaked with fuel after the tanker fell. The police and the fire service men were trying to neutralise the power of the petrol when fire broke out. The fire service truck, which was on duty, was the first to be burnt.
No fewer than 13 people were burnt beyond recognition. About five vehicles were also burnt. We urge those whose relatives are missing to come forward for possible identification because for now we cannot recognise anybody.
