Truck-Load Of Fuel Explodes In Lagos, Fire Razes Building, Shops, Vehicle 

There has been an explosion in the early hours of yesterday, at Ijaniki area of Lagos, as tanker load of fuel explodes, with the resultant inferno razing a storey building, some shops and a vehicle.

The tanker was said to be carrying 33,000 liters of fuel when the explosion occurred. The tanker, was also burnt beyond recognition.

The tanker was haeding inward Badagry to offload its content at a filling station when it fell on reaching Alasia Bus Stop, spilling its content. Some residents, who ran out of their respective apartments, were said to have rushed to the scene with empty jerry-cans, scooping the spilled petroleum product. It is believed that the struggling for the petroleum content amongst the scoopers resulted in the inferno.

However, they ran in different directions for safety when the explosion occurred, with many abandoning their jerry-cans. Car owners hurriedly drove far from the scene. Some of them were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries in the resultant stampede. 

It was gathered that officials of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, and the Lagos State Fire Service from Badagry and Ojo fire stations, got to the scene at about 1.10a.m. to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other buildings. 

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Chike Oti, who confirmed the incident, said there was no report of loss of life. He said: “The truck was loaded with diesel and was coming from Mile 2. Police saw the incident first hand and raised the alarm, using vehicular sirens and loud speaker to warn residents. “Policemen, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ijanikin, CSP Ubine Eugene, were at the scene to control traffic and human conduct.

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