CITIZENS COMPASS–– Two persons were burnt beyond recognition in Lagos State when a truck laden with 33,000 litres of petrol went up in flames.
Properties that could not be quantified were razed in the inferno that lasted for hours.
The incident occurred on Friday night at the Ijesha end of the Cele link bridge in the Surulere area.
It was learned that emergency response was activated and the fire was successfully put out but not until it raged and affected some properties.
The remains were recovered during the emergency response and were handed over to the Police.
Both the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, and the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr.. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed the incident to our Correspondent on Saturday.
In her updates, Adeseye said, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service responded swiftly to a distress call late Friday night, extinguishing a fierce blaze resulting from a tanker accident at the Ijesha end of the Cele link-bridge in Surulere, Lagos.
“At approximately 23:12, emergency services were alerted to a tanker truck, carrying 33,000 litres of petrol, losing control while navigating the roundabout to ascend the bridge. The subsequent spillage ignited into a large fire, engulfing the surrounding area. Prompt action by the Isolo and Bolade Fire Stations of the Agency contained the inferno preventing further escalation.
“Regrettably, two male individuals were discovered deceased, their bodies tragically burnt beyond recognition and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, overseeing the necessary procedures. The Lagos State Ambulance Service also provided vital assistance throughout the operation.
Efforts are currently underway to clear the wreckage of the involved vehicles from the roadway, facilitating unhindered traffic flow and enabling thorough investigative procedures.”
In his Situation report on the Tanker accident, Osanyintolu differed with the casualty’s figure saying an adult male was recovered dead.
“Upon arrival at the scene at 11:51 pm, an accident involving a tanker was encountered.
“Preliminary investigation carried out upon arrival at the scene revealed that a tanker loaded with diesel while descending the bridge lost control and fell sideways and exploded. The impact of the explosion affected three PSP trucks parked by the roadside and an oncoming Toyota Highlander Jeep.
“An adult male got stuck inside the gutter while trying to escape as a result of the explosion and got burnt.
“Responders at the scene of the incident include the Agency’s response team alongside LRU Fire unit, Lagos State Fire, and LASAMBUS.”
As for crowd control at the scene of the incident, he said, “The fallen tanker has been upturned to a standing position with the aid of the Agency’s heavy-duty equipment Crane while blanketing of the tanker is ongoing.
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Awaiting the arrival of the low bed to evacuate the tanker off the road.”
