Tanker explodes in Lagos, many people dead, vehicles burnt

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

A fuel tanker has exploded on Otedola Bridge inward Berger area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria with many people burnt to death and several vehicles burnt.

A police officer at the scene said he counted over 10 vehicles burnt and that many people are feared dead.

Thick smokes evade the atmosphere, vehicles are seen burning in the fury of the fire, as people ran helter and skelter to evade the fury of the raging fire.

Hapless motorists caught in the inferno were burnt to death in their vehicles. Unconfirmed source said over 30 vehicles have been burnt, while others have contrary figures.

Emergency responders have raced to the scene to try and put out the raging fire and rescue victims. Officials of the Lagos State Fire Services, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, police and others are at the scene battling the fire.

General Manager, LASEMA, Adesina Tiamiyu said his men were on the scene to try and salvage the situation, as the area had been condoned off.

“We are trying to extinguish the fire from the vehicles and check for possible causalities from the explosion,” he said.

The General Manager, however, lamented that commuters’ interference with rescue operation had continued to impede officials from completing the exercise.