A gas tanker explosion on Otedola Bridge, Lagos, yesterday night caused a massive fire, leaving two people dead and four others injured.
The fire also destroyed four buildings, 15 vehicles, and several shops.
According to reports, the 30-tonne DAF gas truck was trying to climb the link road to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when it lost control, overturned, and spilled its gas, triggering an instant explosion
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who said that the accident was suspected to have occurred when the vehicle was trying to ascend the link road to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by Otedola Bridge. Consequently, the vehicle somersaulted, spilled its entire contents on the road, and fire ignited immediately.
“The vehicle’s registration number and make are still unknown. However, a total of four buildings, 15 burnt vehicles, including tricycles, an unspecified number of shops, and household properties were lost in the inferno.
“The number of human lives lost is still being quantified, as only two bodies have been recovered. A private hospital was affected, but details of the victims there remain sketchy. More updates will follow as the rescue operation continues.”
However, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported a slightly different casualty figure, stating that one person died and four were injured.
The South West Coordinator of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, also confirmed that 14 vehicles, four shops, and a commercial storey building were damaged.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service added that the fire spread to a church, an adjoining bungalow, and four more vehicles.
The explosion caused panic among motorists, with many abandoning their vehicles and running for safety. Emergency responders are still working at the scene, and more updates are expected.
Eighteen-Eleven Media