Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search
Breaking News:

Petrol tanker bursts into flame in Lagos

By Kehinde Olatunji
12 November 2019   |   3:26 am
A petroleum tanker loaded with 33,000 litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), yesterday went up in flame at Pipeline Bus Stop, along Ayobo Road, Ipaja, Lagos.

Scene of fire outbreak at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja Ayobo following the activities of oil vandals in Lagos…yesterday PHOTOS: AYODELE ADENIRAN

A petroleum tanker loaded with 33,000 litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), yesterday went up in flame at Pipeline Bus Stop, along Ayobo Road, Ipaja, Lagos. However, the incident, which happened around 6:30am near the entrance of Gowon Estate, Alimosho, recorded no casualties.

An eyewitness alleged that the tanker was on motion after its driver allegedly scooped fuel from a pipeline in the area.
She noted that some tankers had already scooped fuel in the pipeline and left without being noticed, but the driver of the exploded tanker did not succeed in escaping with the fuel.

The source claimed that the tanker hit an electric cable, which caused a spark and the attendant explosion.It was also gathered that some members of the community informed officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Watch (LNSC) who in turned informed the Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency response agencies.

Also, preliminary investigation by men of the Lagos State Fire Service indicated that the outbreak was as a result of activities of pipeline vandals from a nearby-ruptured pipeline.

Motorists were stranded for several hours along Ipaja, Egbeda road. Other had to ply alternative routes as traffic gridlock paralysed activities in the entire axis. Operatives of the Lagos State Fire Service and the State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), who raced to scene later put out the raging fire around 10.30am and averted possible disaster.

The Guardian observed that the tanker without a number plate was partially burnt as the fire was put out by the emergency responders before it spread to nearby buildings.

The driver of the truck allegedly escaped after the explosion. However, a vehicle parked around the area with an Epe plate number was completely burnt.

Spokesman of LASEMA, Nosa Okunbor confirmed that the combined team of emergency responders put out the fire. He said the remaining fuel in the tanker, which is being trans-loaded into another tanker, would be handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

In this article

0 Comments