BREAKING: Many trapped, vechicles destroyed as fire guts fuel laden tanker in Iponri
Many were trapped and motor vechicles destroyed Thursday night as a loaded petrol tanker busted into flame at Costain area of Iponri-Surulere in Lagos state.
It was gathered that one of the tankers rolled back onto the other tanker and other vehicles while ascending the Constain bridge, resulting in the collision.
Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement, said ”Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, it was observed that a fire had broken out in a pile up of vehicles, which included two petrol tankers.
” Further investigations revealed that one of the tankers had rolled back onto the other tanker and other vehicles while ascending the bridge, resulting in the collision and subsequent fire.
” Currently, the exact number of individuals trapped in the inferno is unknown. However, preliminary assessments have determined that there are 3 container-laden trucks, 2 tankers loaded with unknown but highly flammable materials, 1 tipper truck transporting gravel, 1 flatbed truck and 3 cars.
” To address the situation, a total of 4 fire trucks have been deployed, along with personnel from LASTMA, LASEMA, and the Nigeria Police. The recovery operation is currently underway, and further updates will be provided”.
It would be recalled that a diesel tanker crashed and spilled its content on the Otedola bridge, inwards Berger, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, on Thursday.
In a video shared by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority on their official X handle, people were seen with buckets and kegs scooping the diesel directly from the tanker and from the floor.
The accident also cornered and damaged a bus bearing the inscription, ‘Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies.’
Operatives of the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service were seen at the scene of the incident, trying to guard against a fire outbreak.
LASTMA officials were on the ground doing the needful, and efforts to evacuate the truck are ongoing.
