21st February, 2012
Three trucks filled with diesel were burnt at an illegal diesel depot at Ojota, Ikeja, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, when fire broke out at the depot.
The cause of the fire which engulfed a vast expanse of land on Abayomi Adelaja Drive, Olusosun, Ojota, could not be ascertained.
Witnesses gave different versions of what caused the fire.
One version has it that the fire broke out when some diesel dealers were transferring diesel from one truck to another. Sources said there were about fifteen trucks, waiting to load at the illegal depot at the time. Another account has it that fire broke out during the mixing of original diesel with spirit and kerosene to maximise profit by some of the dealers.
The source further said that the dealers have been in the nefarious business for a long time.
“The place is always crowded with truck drivers who usually come there to buy cheap and adulterated diesel, rather than patronising the filling stations for genuine oil.
“The Lagos State government and security operatives should urgently investigate the unwholesome activities of these agents of destruction to prevent further damage to the economy of Lagos State,” the source stated.
When P.M.NEWS visited the scene, some personnel of the Lagos State Fire Service were seen battling to put out the fire which had already burnt down about three trucks.
It was gathered that 10 other drivers who had lined up their trucks to load diesel hurriedly drove away immediately the fire broke out.
Policemen from the Alausa Division were also at the scene to maintain law and order.
—Paul Iyoghojie