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An unidentified pregnant woman and a
driver were burnt beyond recognition
yesterday, after a truck loaded with 33,000
litres of petroleum product exploded at
Barracks Bus Stop, along the Lagos-
Badagry Expressway.
Blast, gunfire in Islamist attackm at Nairobi
hotel, office coplex
DEATH SCENE: The scene of the fatal fuel
tanker fire, yesterday. PHOTO: Kehinde
Shonuola.
The fate of another female victim, who
sustained severe burns from the resultant
fire, still hung in the balance, as doctors at
a private hospital around Onireke, were
battling to resuscitate her alongside six
other victims, who sustained varying
degrees of burns.
Also destroyed were six vehicles and goods
worth several millions of naira.
The incident occurred at about 4a.m., after
the truck which was heading inward Iyana-
Oba, somersaulted while trying to navigate
a failed portion of the expressway at
Barracks Bus Stop, spilling its content on
the on the road and igniting.
The fire affected vehicles that were behind
the truck. Among the affected vehicles
was a truck conveying power generating
sets.
The pregnant woman, a trader, Vanguard
gathered, was in a cab loaded with
cartoons of frozen fish. She was burnt
alongside the driver.
Victims’ attempt to escape
Eyewitnesses said some motorists, who
were on fire, put up spirited efforts to stay
alive as they kept running, looking for flood
water to plunge into.
An eyewitness, who simply gave his name
as Mr. Mmaduabuchukwu Onyesi, said the
rain could not stop the rampaging inferno.
He said one of the victims that were on
fire fell inside flood water, which unknown
to him was filled with the combustible
substance.
He said: “The fire on her increased. But
she still managed to get up and ran until
she became weak and laid on the ground.
By then, another driver, who had fire
extinguisher in his car, rushed to where she
was and sprayed it on her. Though the fire
went out, she was unconscious.”
The accident brought traffic on the ever-
busy expressway to a halt, forcing
commuters to come down from public
vehicles and trek across the scene of the
accident to continue their journey.
When Vanguard visited the scene, rescue
operators had condoned off the route.
Among them were fire service officials, as
well as those from Lagos State Traffic
Management Authority, LASTMA; Lagos
State Emergency Management Agency,
LASEMA; military personnel from Ojo
Barracks and Policemen.
Some persons, who claimed to be relatives
of those burnt, were sighted at the scene.
They demanded to take the charred
remains for burial according to Islamic
rites, but refused to speak with Vanguard
when approached.
Emergency workers
Speaking with Vanguard , Head of
Operations of the Lagos State Fire Service,
Ojo Station, Mrs. Bolanle Kasumu, said: “I
don’t know how it happened. I received a
call from the DPO in charge of Onireke by
4:30a.m., that there was a fire outbreak
and within five minutes, my men and I were
at the scene.
“The inferno was still raging. But we have
been able to bring it under control so that
it doesn’t spread to residential buildings.
We have been working here since 4:35a.m.
“When we got here the tanker and other
vehicles were in flames and the container
was also burning. It was like the tanker
driver was trying to manoeuvre, but owing
to the situation of the road, it fell.”
Also, Assistant Commandant, Federal Road
Safety Corps, FRSC, Iba Unit, Joe Ogar,
said: “Two lives were lost, six vehicles
were burned and property worth millions
destroyed in the fire.
“As you can see the situation is already
under control, but from what we gathered
the fire started after a tanker carrying PMS
fell, spilling it contents.
“My men, alongside personnel of other
traffic agencies, got to work immediately
we arrived the scene. The other victim has
been taken to Onireke Hospital behind the
Police Station.
…blame on govt
Residents said a similar incident occurred
recently at same spot. But in that case, no
life was lost. A truck loaded with petroleum
product heading inward Badagry, fell,
spilling its contents.
Although no life was lost but motorists and
commercial motorcyclists were prevented
from taking the route in order to avoid the
situation from escalating.
Motorists spent several hours on the road
as they were prevented from moving on
both sides of the expressway.
One angry resident, Mr. Mojeed Saliu,
blamed the situation on what he described
as insensitivity of government.
He said: “The two incidents on this
particular spot were caused by bad road.
Must people die before government rises to
its responsibility?
“Ordinarily, people go through hell daily,
owing to the perennial gridlock as a result
of this failed section of the road.
“In fact, we have resorted to taking
motorbikes, which is twice the normal
price. Government should come to our aid
before this spot consumes more people.”
Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/
lagos-tanker-explosion-pregnant-woman-
driver-burnt-to-death-6-vehicles-goods-
destroyed/

It's a pity may their gentle souls rest in peace.