A tanker loaded with combustive substance exploded at the early hours of yesterday, at Mile 2, along the Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, destroying at least 10 vehicles in the resultant inferno.
Several persons sustained varying degrees of burns and injuries in the ensuing stampede, while goods worth several millions of naira were also destroyed by fire.
Money Central learnt that the affected truck which loaded the substance from one of the tank farms along the expressway was heading outward Apapa. However, on reaching a failed section of the road at Fagbems bus-stop, Mile-2, the tanker overturned, spilled its content and went up in flames.
The loud bang rattled some drivers who were sleeping in their trucks, awaiting the right time to hit the road. They scampered in different directions for safety.
Unfortunately for drivers of other trucks behind, they could not manoeuvre their ways because of the failed section. They abandoned their trucks and managed to flee for dear life.
The raging fire also affected some trucks that were on the other side of the road, waiting for their turn to drive into the ports.
Rescue operators such as the Police, Federal and Lagos State Fire Services, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA and agency responders were still at the scene at about 1 pm, trying to clear the wreckage to allow motorists that were trapped for hours, passage.
Director-General /Chief Executive Officer LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osayintolu, explained that “ the Agency received distress calls concerning the fire which occurred around 1 am and activated its emergency response plan.
“On arrival, it was discovered that a fuel tanker loaded with PMS had overturned and burst into flames due to the oil spillage. This in turn affected some stationary trailers parked inwards Apapa. The operation to remove the affected vehicles is ongoing while road users are encouraged to use alternative routes”.