Another fuel tanker fire was recorded on Wednesday night on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The fire, which started at the Olowotedo Bus Stop end of the highway’s outward Lagos Lane, spread to the Deeper Christian Life Ministry’s campground end of the road.

When The Guardian reporter passed through the road at about midnight, the fire had engulfed two other trucks, and was still raging. Motorists heading outside Lagos were diverted to the Lagos-bound Lane from the turning in front of the NASFAT camp.

However, firefighters struggled to put the fire out and prevented it from engulfing a nearby petrol station.

Also, operatives of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), yesterday morning prevented another diesel fire explosion at Obadeyi, before Ijaye along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, said the tanker, JJJ 596 XX, fully loaded with diesel products fell at about 6:10a.m. and spilled its contents on the expressway.

To prevent another imminent fire explosion, Taofiq said LASTMA officials on arriving at the scene, immediately chased away scoopers and condoned off the entire vicinity.

“After arriving at the scene, LASTMA personnel immediately called the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, including Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) Response Unit (LRU) and immediately secured the environment against area boys and other members of the public, who had started scooping diesel with buckets/jerry cans, and police officers from Meiran Police Division provided security backup at the scene.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the tanker fully loaded with diesel was coming from Abule-Egba going to Ijaye before the driver lost control due to a brake failure at Obadeyi.

“Traffic was immediately diverted at Hamadiya by both Hamadiya Hospital Way, likewise those moving, against those from the toll gate.

“Traffic Officer, Ajalekoko Bolade, who led rescue operations to the scene, confirmed that the driver of the tanker ran away immediately after the incident,” he added.