On Monday morning, a diesel tanker was engulfed in flames in the Ojota area, heading towards Ketu, Lagos State.
Eyewitnesses report that the fire, starting around 8 am, completely consumed the 10-tyre diesel tanker, as those at the scene observed that the tanker, although empty, was already ablaze as it approached the location.
Felix Afolorunsho, a loader from Freeman Park in the area, told journalists that the driver attempted to use a fire extinguisher to control the flames upon reaching the location. Unfortunately, the fire proved too intense.
“I don’t know where exactly the fire started from, but as the vehicle approached it was already on fire, so people started shouting, fire, fire, and the driver stopped the vehicle. Immediately, he came out and brought his fire extinguisher trying to put out the fire but the fire extinguisher could not control the fire.”
Afolorunsho added that prompt alerts were made to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and the fire service, arriving at 9 am. Despite their efforts, they could not salvage the vehicle.
Quest Times further reports that he emphasized the fortunate circumstance that the tanker was empty, preventing a potentially disastrous explosion.
Steven Ayedepe, a vulcanizer engineer and eyewitness, mentioned that locals tried to douse the flames with water and foam, but the fire surpassed their capacity. The fire service, despite arriving after the vehicle was burnt, ensured the situation was under control.
“People came with foam water, we tried to quench the fire but it was getting too hot and was above our capacity, so we called the fire service but before they got here the vehicle had already been burnt down,” he said.
Amodu Shakiri, the spokesperson for the Lagos Fire Service, confirmed the incident, reassuring that the situation was contained, saying, “Our men are there and the the situation is under control.”
He concluded that the peddler truck carrying diesel had been extinguished, averting casualties and property damage.