No fewer than 34 houses and 70 shops were razed by fire after a tanker bearing 33,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, crashed in Idimu area of Lagos State in the early hours of Saturday.
This comes barely three days after a fuel-laden tanker skidded off a bridge at the Iyana Ipaja area of the state and was engulfed in flames, ravaging 40 shops, four buildings, 25 vehicles and six tricycles.
Similarly, a week ago, about 85 lives were lost to a fire disaster sparked off by a derailed fuel tanker in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The Public Relations Officer, National Emergency Management Agency, South-West Zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, explained that the flammable liquid was ignited by the flames of a nearby barbecue shop, also known as suya.
He said the driver of the tanker is at large.
Our correspondent observed that the charred remains of the maroon-painted tanker was unbranded and had no number plate.
Also, the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe, told us that the agency received the distress call at 12.08 am and responded promptly.
He said the driver of the tanker is at large.
Our correspondent observed that the charred remains of the maroon-painted tanker was unbranded and had no number plate.
Also, the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe, told us that the agency received the distress call at 12.08 am and responded promptly.
He said, “Efforts made by the fire service prevented an MRS filling station close by from being engulfed by the fire. We lost some of our fire-fighting equipment to the fire, which could have lasted up to 20 more operations.
Farinloye added that the situation was already under control when NEMA arrived. According to him, the community youths played a significant role in reducing the extent of damage which the fire created.
“Ten of the 34 affected houses were completely destroyed, while the others were partially scorched. Also, 70 shops were burnt. The tanker and a tricycle were the only vehicles affected,” he added.
Speaking to us at the scene of the incident on Saturday, Head of Operations, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Femi Giwa, advised the public to stay away from the areas cordoned off, the buildings razed by the fire, to avoid secondary emergency. “They should ensure that they do not go into some of those shops that are burnt until the integrity of those buildings is ascertained,” he added.
Farinloye added that the situation was already under control when NEMA arrived. According to him, the community youths played a significant role in reducing the extent of damage which the fire created.
“Ten of the 34 affected houses were completely destroyed, while the others were partially scorched. Also, 70 shops were burnt. The tanker and a tricycle were the only vehicles affected,” he added.
Speaking to us at the scene of the incident on Saturday, Head of Operations, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Femi Giwa, advised the public to stay away from the areas cordoned off, the buildings razed by the fire, to avoid secondary emergency. “They should ensure that they do not go into some of those shops that are burnt until the integrity of those buildings is ascertained,” he added.
Source; Punch
O my God this is so sad..where are this people going to start from???but shop and houses burnt down..I just talk God no one dead
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