Disaster was avoided early Thursday when a tanker carrying gas caught fire on Abaranje Road in the Ikotun area of Lagos State.
Olawale Afolabi, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, shared this news in a statement on Thursday. He said the fire started at Ola Farm Bus Stop but was quickly controlled by emergency responders. Thankfully, no lives were lost and there were no injuries.
Afolabi explained that when the response team arrived, they found the tanker fully on fire. Preliminary reports indicated that the tanker was driving at high speed when it hit a road bump, making the driver lose control.
"Initial findings indicate that the vehicle was travelling at speed when it struck a road bump. The impact caused the driver to lose control, which led to a tyre burst and an immediate fire outbreak," the statement said.
LASEMA officials worked with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to put out the fire. They also secured the area to stop the fire from spreading to nearby homes, businesses, and other road users.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Nigeria Police from the Ikotun Division helped manage traffic and control the crowd during this operation.
"We are grateful to report that there was no loss of life, and no casualties were recorded. The situation has been brought under control, and the fire fully extinguished," Afolabi stated.
He mentioned that efforts were underway to remove the burnt tanker from the road. Heavy-duty machines were brought in to take away the vehicle and restore normal traffic flow.
Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, urged drivers to obey speed limits, especially near speed bumps and in residential areas.
"We use this opportunity to remind all motorists of the importance of adhering to speed limits, particularly around designated bumps and in residential corridors. Such caution saves lives and protects property," he said.
He also confirmed the agency’s commitment to being ready for disasters, responding quickly to emergencies, and ensuring public safety across Lagos State. He praised all the agencies that responded and thanked residents for their cooperation during the operation.
Oke-Osanyintolu urged the public to report emergencies quickly using the state’s toll-free emergency lines 112 and 767.
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