Barely three days after petrol tanker burst into flames at Iyana-Ipaja destroying millions of properties, another petrol tanker inferno occurred at Idimu Bus Stop, Egbe Idimu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos midnight destroying millions of properties. No fewer than 34 buildings, 70 shops, one tricycle, one truck and other property were consumed by the fire ignited by a fallen petrol-laden tanker.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred when two tankers loaded with diesel were in a race to outwit each other and in the process one of the two tankers over-turned spilling its content on the road and immediately burst into flames.
The situation could have been worst but for the timely intervention of the Lagos State Fire Service saved the day. Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode had on Tuesday visited Iyana-Ipaja where a tanker laden with petrol caught fire after falling off the bridge, causing extensive damages. He promised that he would ensure that those who lost property to the fire got back to normal business life.
As at press time it could not be confirmed if there was any loss of lives as the inferno was still raging with fire fighters battling to put out the fire as 3 AM this morning.
However, the fire was eventually put out around 6 AM by men of the fire service.
The situation set the whole community into confusion as everyone ran for dear lives. Mr Femi Giwa, the Head of Operations, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the spilled content of the tanker caused an uncontrollable inferno.
Giwa said preliminary investigations revealed that two tankers en-route from Ikotun to Idimu were involved in an accident with a bus at Idimu, spilling the petrol.
“One of the tankers skidded off the road spilling its content. The petrol spread through the drains to parts of Idimu and its environs on Idimu-Ejigbo Road.
“Five minutes after, we had a fire outbreak which resulted in a colossal loss,’’ he said.
He said it was too early to determine the actual losses in human and financial terms.
According to Giwa, men of LASEMA, the State Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Red Cross, Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps responded on time to manage the situation.
Others institutions which assisted in containing the situation included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Neighborhood Watch and the Community Development Association.
“We have put out the fire. We are about to commence full recovery. The essence is to make the area safe.
“We have done initial assessment of the losses. This may differ from full enumeration at the end of the exercise,’’ Giwa said
He said post-disaster assessment would be made public after the emergency agencies had achieved some levels of stability.
The LASEMA official urged employers of tanker drivers to enlighten them on safety measures.
He also called on the various regulatory agencies to ensure that the excesses of tanker drivers were curtailed.
Also speaking, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA’s Public Relations Officer, commended Idimu youths for collaborating with relevant authorities in containing the fire.
Farinloye, however, frowned at the recklessness of some commercial vehicle drivers on the highways.
He advised the public against street trading, adding that many lives would have been lost if the fire had occurred during the day.
Mr Rasak Fadipe , the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, told NAN that his men arrived at the scene of the accident at about 12.08 a.m. shortly after the crash.
“Three other fire trucks were deployed from Alausa, Sari-Iganmu and Isolo Fire Stations, and they all responded swiftly.
“We were able to put out the fire with the combined efforts of other security operatives and members of the community,’’ he said.
He pleaded with truck owners to engage serious-minded drivers to handle their vehicles.
“Literate drivers, who are able to read road signs, should be engaged.
“Drivers should avoid speeding. If they must drive at night, they should ensure that they have adequate sleep during the day.’’
A driver and an eyewitness, Mr Femi Ogundele, lauded the swift response of the fire service and other security agencies in bringing the situation under control.
The Unit Commander of FRSC, Ikotun, Mrs Iwuoha Chinwendu, said tanker drivers be made to undergo compulsory tests to ascertain their psychological state.
She cautioned tanker drivers against night journeys because of its attendant risks.
Meanwhile, the Oba of Idimu, Azeez Adewale, expressed gratitude to God for averting a tragedy in the area and the state.
He, however, called on the state government to assist the victims of the fire disaster
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