No fewer than 13 persons have been killed after fire gutted five vehicles at the Lotto, Mowe end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday. While some of the deceased were reported to have been scooping fuel from a fallen tanker, others were said to be passengers in a commercial bus and two Hilux vans.
Our correspondents were told that the herdsmen immediately fled the scene after residents attempted to mob them. Policemen from the Redemption Camp division were said to have removed the dead cows, and contacted Total to send another truck for fuel transfer.
It was gathered that some residents came out and started scooping the fuel spilled into the gutter. Our correspondents gathered that at about 1am, a Sports Utility Vehicle, which had a burst tyre, drove on its rim, which ignited the fire that also engulfed it. The fire was said to have engulfed an 18-seater bus driving behind it, two Hilux vans, a Dangote truck and a fire service truck, which was rounding off operation.
An eyewitness, who gave her name only as Sunmibare, said the fire service men were rolling their hose back into the truck, when the fire started. She added that the fire service official that was injured, Adetayo, was rushed to Temitope Clinic – a private health facility in the area.
She said, “One of the fire service men was injured. The fire razed their truck and a Dangote truck beside it. There was no hope of putting out the fire since the fire service men had become helpless. The fire raged till about 7am.” The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said 13 charred remains were recovered from the scene. Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police said, “The road was soaked with fuel after the tanker fell. The police and the fire service men were trying to neutralise the power of the petrol when fire broke out.
The fire service truck, which was on duty, was the first to be burnt. “No fewer than 13 people were burnt beyond recognition. About five vehicles were also burnt. We urge those whose relatives are missing to come forward for possible identification because for now we cannot recognise anybody.”
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