Some residents in the Ibafo on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway area of Ogun State have blamed the escalation of the tanker fire incident that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday on the delayed response of the firefighters.
The residents who spoke with PUNCH Metro in separate interviews on Wednesday noted that the level of damage caused by the fire could have been minimal had the firefighters arrived before the tanker gutted fire.
PUNCH Metro had earlier reported that the fire incident destroyed vehicles worth millions of naira, as well as houses and animals, and left residents in a state of panic.
It was also gathered that some residents also sustained varying degrees of injuries after the fire spread to a community through the drainage system about one kilometre to the point where the tanker fell.
Our correspondent, who visited the scene, gathered that the fire began when the tanker, loaded with petrol, overturned in front of a commercial bank located along the Ibafo section of the expressway.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the driver of the tanker was suspected to have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing him to lose control, which led to the tanker’s fall and eventual explosion.
The impact of the fire was evident, with some buildings suffering shattered windows, damaged roofs, and cracked walls.
Speaking with our correspondent, an eyewitness identified as Wasiu blamed the tanker driver’s reckless driving for the incident.
He added that the delayed response of the firefighters led to the severe damage.
He explained, “What I saw was that the tanker was swaying before it fell and spilt its content into the drainage. It didn’t catch fire immediately, as some hoodlums had started scooping the fuel.
“However, after some moments, fire struck from the other side of the expressway, and it escalated. Four tipper trucks parked on the premises of Osadol Fuel Station were destroyed. I also learnt that the fire extended into the community close to the expressway.
“When the firefighters were contacted, they did not respond quickly which led to the escalation. Had it been the fire service came to time, the damage would not have been severe like this.”
Another eyewitness identified as Pelumi, told our correspondent that firefighters within the area claimed there was no water to attend to the situation and that they had to contact the Ogun Fire Service headquarters in Abeokuta.
He lamented that it took about two hours after the fire had started before the firefighters arrived.
“The fire did not start immediately the tanker fell. Some guys had started scooping the fuel when police came and dispersed them. The fire started about 1 am but firefighters did not arrive until 3 am when the fire had escalated.
“The firefighters said they did not have water and that they had to contact Abeokuta to respond,” Pelumi said.
A resident of the affected community, Tunde Adewumi, noted that the fire caused panic as most people were asleep when it spread into the area.
“It was a serious incident, but thank God the drainage had been constructed; otherwise, the damage would have been much worse. The fire injured about three people and damaged buildings. Those affected were mostly people living close to where the drainage construction ends.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Director of the Ogun State Fire Service, Fatai Adefala, proved abortive as calls made to his telephone line were not connected and messages sent were yet to be responded to as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said the tanker driver sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital.
“The incident involved a Fiat truck, but the driver’s name and address are currently unknown. The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the steering and collided with the roadside curb. The truck, believed to be carrying petrol, fell over and caught fire. The fire spread to the truck and eventually engulfed it.
“Additionally, the fire reached the Osadol Petrol Station, damaging two trucks parked outside. At the time of the incident, the fire service was contacted, but community members and police officers managed to bring the fire under control while awaiting their arrival. The truck driver has been taken to Real Divine Touch Hospital in Ibafo for medical treatment,” Odutola stated.
