Lagos arrests truck driver, averts fire disaster at Western Avenue 

CITIZENS COMPASS —THE driver of a tanker laden with cooking gas was on Saturday, arrested in Lagos State, as outbreak of fire was averted following the leakage of the content from the tanker. 

Emergency agencies in the State, were prompt enough to avert the disaster which would have been caused by the truck with number plate, KRD 281 XL, around Western Avenue, inward Barracks bus stop, Surulere area. 

The incident occurred at about 9a.m. but disaster was jointly averted by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) alongside other relevant agencies. 

It was gathered that the tanker developed fault while on motion within the top inlet of its compartment and this obstructed free flow of traffic in the axis. 

In her updates, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Adeseye Margaret, said fire was averted as the Ilupeju Fire Station with their quick response ameliorated the situation with a chemical foam compound to forestall ignition and any eventuality of a secondary emergency.  

She said the incident led to the diversion of traffic as other emergency responders teamed up with the Fire service to avert disaster as traffic was diverted from the Barracks end and Stadium section of  Western Avenue.

She said, “There is no record of casualty.” 

Traffic diverted – LASTMA

Speaking about the effects of the gas leakage on the traffic situation in the axis, LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq said, Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) led by LASTMA Officer, Akinde Olusola of Zone 3, Iponri area of Surulere confirmed that a gas laden truck with registration no KRD 281 XL, hit the newly erected barrier at Alaka inward Stadium.

“He confirmed further that in an attempt for the truck to force itself under the newly erected barrier had its content (gas) spilled on the main carriage way by Akaka inward Stadium bridge.

” According to him, “Immediately the incident occured, LASTMA officials quickly invited other energency responders particularly the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and condoned off the main carriage way at Alaka, by Stadium bridge for motorists to avert any fire outbreak”

“While the driver of the truck was arrested and handed over to the Police, men from Area ‘C’ Divisional Police Station, vehicular movement were diverted to service lane from Alaka to continue their movement inward Ojuelegba by Lastma Officials”

LASTMA General Manager, Mr Bolaji Oreagba said the newly errected barrier at Stadium bridge was to divert heavy trucks to service lane from Alaka inward Staduim down to Ojuelegba.

He however enjoined heavy truck drivers to always make use of the service lane whenever they are embarking on any journey around Stadium to Ojuelegba area of Lagos.

LASEMA efforts 

LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu in his updates said, “Upon arrival at the incident scene, a truck conveying a gas tanker/cylinder fully loaded with 22tonnes of cooking gas was found to be leaking its contents into the environment.

” Further investigations revealed that the truck hit the newly constructed truck barricade at Alaka and continued his journey towards Ojuelegba unknown that the collision had damaged its gas tank. 

” No life was lost and no injuries sustained to anyone as a result of the incident but the gas vapour was gushing out copiously and uncontrollably into the environment. 

” Traffic flow in and out of the entire axis has been halted and residents in the area has been adequately sensitised to avoid any form of naked flame in order to avoid an explosion or fire outbreak because of  the risk at hand. 

“The attempts to fully seal the truck were unsuccessful and the

truck has been escorted to its depot at Apapa by the federal, state fire service and Nigeria Police men were on ground to control  transloading of the contents .

” The road has now been fully reopened for public use. Recovery operation concluded.”