Two die, market razed as fuel tanker explodes in Lagos

TWO people have been reported dead, with goods worth several millions of naira destroyed after a 33,000-litre tanker loaded with petrol exploded, following a collision with an articulated truck.

The collision and subsequent explosion happened around exactly 5.38 p.m. at the popular Cele Bus Stop area of Apapa Oshodi Expressway.

Both vehicles were said to be coming from the same direction, from Apapa to Oshodi.

While reportedly negotiating bad portions of the road, both were said to have collided right in front of the bus stop.

The loaded tanker reportedly burst into flames due to the impact of the contact.

The two occupants of the tanker, the driver and the motor boy, reportedly burnt to death

The content of the tanker caused massive spillage into the drainage and also spread into the nearby Cele Market, consuming a part of it.

Traders’ wares like tomatoes and pepper, according to eyewitnesses, were consumed by the inferno which engulfed the whole expressway before it was contained by the emergency responders.

The entire environment was thrown into panic, causing a serious gridlock.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) response team, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Fire Service and the Nigerian Police were involved in the rescue operation.

General Manager, LASEMA, Michael Akindele, urged articulated drivers to maintain the normal speed limit and ensure vehicles were in good shape to avoid further occurrences.

Though the responders were still at the scene of the accident as of press time, the fire had been well contained by them.