Two persons were feared dead ON Tuesday, one was injured when a petrol-laden tanker with registration number FST 936 SJ fell and caught fire at Oshodi bus stop.
But Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said one died.
It was learnt that the tanker laden with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), fell around NAFDAC office in Oshodi at 2am, spilling its contents.
The incident caused a massive gridlock on the busy Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, as another heavy-duty vehicle, carrying a 20-foot container, reportedly fell during rescue operations.
The tanker was said to have affected a pick-up van loaded with bags of charcoal.
The driver and his motor boy escaped unhurt, but two persons were burnt beyond recognition while attempting to scoop fuel.
An eyewitness, Femi Olusesan, said the fuel tanker driver was on top speed.
He said, “The fully loaded unlatched fuel tanker fell around the NAFDAC office in Oshodi. Some people went to scoop the fuel but unfortunately the tanker exploded and killed two of them. Several other trucks nearby also caught fire but the drivers escaped unhurt.”
Jude Amise, a resident, said he and his neighbours saw the fire when it started but never knew that a tanker fell.
“At first when we saw the fire we thought some people were burning tyres, it was when the smoke thickened we decided to move close to the scene. We saw a fallen tanker. At that time, the fire became uncontrollable. We tried to quench the fire ourselves but we realised it was more than our power so we informed the fire fighters men who eventually put it out.”
Residents blamed the deplorable road for the incident.
LASEMA said the body has been handed over to the environmental health monitoring unit.
The deceased, LASEMA said, was an adult male, adding that he was severely burnt.
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