DISASTER AVERTED AS GAS TANKER CATCHES FIRE IN LAGOS

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By; Aina Daniel

Disaster was averted in the early hours of Thursday after a gas-laden tanker caught fire along Abaranje Road in the Ikotun area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the incident occurred at Ola Farm Bus Stop and was swiftly brought under control by emergency responders, with no fatalities or injuries recorded.

The agency’s spokesperson, Olawale Afolabi, disclosed in a statement that emergency officials arrived at the scene to find the tanker engulfed in flames.

According to preliminary investigations, the tanker was travelling at high speed when it hit a road bump, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

“The impact caused the driver to lose control, which led to a tyre burst and an immediate fire outbreak,” the statement said.

Afolabi said LASEMA officials, working alongside the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, successfully extinguished the fire, secured the area and prevented the flames from spreading to nearby residential buildings, businesses and other road users.

He added that officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and officers of the Nigeria Police Force from the Ikotun Division coordinated traffic and crowd control throughout the emergency 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 said.

He noted that efforts were ongoing to evacuate the burnt tanker from the roadway, with heavy-duty equipment deployed to remove the wreckage and restore the free flow of traffic.

The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged motorists to observe speed limits, particularly around speed bumps and residential areas, to prevent similar incidents.

“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.

Oke-Osanyintolu reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to disaster preparedness and rapid emergency response, while commending all responding agencies and residents for their cooperation during the operation.

He also encouraged members of the public to promptly report emergencies through the state’s toll-free emergency lines, 112 and 767.