2 die, 5 sustain injuries in Lagos tanker fire

Chioma Joseph, Lagos

No fewer than two people were said to have lost their lives on Wednesday following an inferno at the Barracks area of the Mile-2 Badagry Expressway. The inferno which started at about 4:25 am, when a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) fell and spilled its content at the bad portion of the road also burnt five vehicles. The incident which is not the first at that same spot has once again raised the concern of residents on the sincerity of the government to fix the road. According to the Acting Director, Lagos Fire Service, Mr Rasaki Musibau, the accident was primarily caused by three vehicles which included one IVECO Tipper Truck loaded with sand, one Mack Trailer loaded with Sumec and Elemax generating sets and one other unknown motor car which were stationed on the express road overnight. He said the Mack tanker laden with 33,000 liters PMS and a Datsun stocked with cartons of frozen fish with three passengers rammed into the three abandoned stationery vehicles. The incident resulted in the spilling of the petroleum contents on the road thereby igniting Fire. “The fire severely burnt the tanker carrying the PMS, Trailer with Generating sets and the unknown car while the remaining two vehicles were slightly affected. “The bodies of two out of the three occupants (a male and female) of the Datsun was recovered by men of the fire service and subsequently released to Onireke Police Division, while five other persons were rescued and taken to the hospital for quick medical attention.” The Director therefore appealed to motorists to ensure safety of other road users and ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles so as to avoid indiscriminate break down and prevent loss of lives “Motorists should avoid leaving their vehicles on the road unattended to especially in the night in order to avert Fire and ensure safety of lives. “It is disheartening to note that motorists are not cautious of the dangers inherent in abandoning their vehicles on the road overnight with excuse of malfunctioning or been faulty.”