Fire Destroys Vehicles And Injures Several In Ogun State.
A fire outbreak caused by a fallen petrol tanker wreaked havoc in the Ibafo area of Ogun State early on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, leaving numerous vehicles destroyed and several people injured. The incident occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in the Obafemi Owode local government area.
According to eyewitness reports, the tanker, which was loaded with premium motor spirit (PMS), fell after the driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing him to lose control. The tanker subsequently exploded, spilling petrol that ignited a large fire.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), confirmed the incident from Abeokuta, stating that while there were no fatalities, the fire had caused significant damage. The blaze spread rapidly to vehicles parked at a nearby filling station, leaving several of them destroyed.
The Ogun State Fire Service responded to the scene and was eventually able to bring the fire under control. However, by the time they arrived, many vehicles had already been consumed by the flames. Several individuals also sustained injuries of varying degrees and were treated on-site.
The spilled petrol travelled through a drainage system, extending the impact of the fire to a nearby community about a kilometre away. The fire’s intensity shattered windows, damaged roofs, and cracked walls in several buildings.
Authorities have urged caution and vigilance on the roads, particularly among tanker drivers, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
