Panic as Otedola Bridge tanker explosion razes buildings, cars

An explosion last night rocked the Otedola Bridge in Lagos, sparking a massive fire. The blast, which occurred at 8:18p.m., when a 50,000-litre tanker loaded with petroleum products overturned while making a turn at Otedola Bridge.

While no casualty was confirmed as at press time, Director General of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency has activated a multi-responder plan to handle the overturned tanker and the resulting fire.

The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, disclosed that the fire spread to a church, an adjoining bungalow, and four vehicles.

Panic-stricken motorists scrambled to escape the scene, with some making hasty U-turns while others abandoned their vehicles for fear of being trapped in the inferno to avoid a repeat of 2018 incident at the same location which left at least 12 people dead, and 54 vehicles burned.

Emergency responders were last night still battling to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to other buildings. Among them were officials of LASEMA, the State Fire Service, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Adeseye said: “While firefighting operations are ongoing, there has been no record of casualties, with further updates to follow.”

On his part, LASEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Boss Okunbo, simply stated, “It is some sort of explosion. Awaiting preliminary report. LASEMA’s Tiger Response Team is at the location.”