Massive Fire Engulfs Ogun Community, Residents in Panic

A fire broke out early Wednesday morning along the Ibafo area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after a petrol tanker caught fire, destroying vehicles worth millions of naira, as well as homes and livestock, leaving locals in a state of shock.

Many people were also injured to varying extents.

A PUNCH Online reporter who visited the site learned that the fire started when the petrol-filled tanker overturned near a commercial bank along the Ibafo stretch of the expressway.

Witnesses revealed that the tanker driver was believed to have dozed off while driving, leading to the loss of control and the subsequent fall and explosion of the tanker.

Our reporter noted that the petrol leak flowed through a drainage system, reaching a neighbourhood roughly one kilometre away from the highway.

The fire’s effects were clear, as multiple buildings had broken windows, damaged roofs, and cracked walls.

In a conversation with our reporter, an eyewitness named Wasiu claimed that the incident was caused by the tanker driver’s careless driving.

He explained, “What I saw was that the tanker was swaying before it fell and spilt its contents into the drainage. It didn’t catch fire immediately, as some hoodlums had started scooping the fuel.

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“However, after a few minutes, fire struck from the other side of the expressway, and it escalated. Four tipper trucks parked on the premises of Osadol Fuel Station were destroyed. I also learned that the fire extended into the community close to the expressway.”

Tunde Adewumi, a local resident of the affected area, mentioned that the fire caused alarm since it spread while most people were asleep.

He said, “It was a serious incident, but thank God the drainage had been constructed; otherwise, the damage would have been much worse. The fire injured about three people and damaged buildings. Those affected were mostly people living close to where the drainage construction ends.”

In a phone conversation with our correspondent, Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the incident, stating that the tanker driver was injured and taken to the hospital.

“The incident involved a Fiat truck, but the driver’s name and address are currently unknown. The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the steering and collided with the roadside curb. The truck, believed to be carrying petrol, fell over and caught fire. The fire spread to the truck and eventually engulfed it.

“Additionally, the fire reached the Osadol Petrol Station, damaging two trucks parked outside. At the time of the incident, the fire service was contacted, but community members and police officers managed to bring the fire under control while awaiting their arrival. The truck driver has been taken to Real Divine Touch Hospital in Ibafo for medical treatment,” Odutola stated.

View additional images from the event.

The PUNCH