- Safiu Kehinde
At least two people have confirmed dead in a gas tanker explosion on the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Sangotedo area of Lagos State.
NPO Reported that the tanker had in early hours of Saturday exploded following collision with a tipper truck.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Sunday the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Controller General, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, stated that the incident occurred at about 2:36 a.m. on Saturday near Tera Ahmed Bus Stop in Sangotedo, Lagos.
Adeseye disclosed that the tipper truck rammed into the stationary gas tanker, triggering the explosion which claimed two lives while also destroying three warehouses and 10 shops.
“The incident involved a speeding 20-tonne tipper truck coming from Epe axis.
“The truck rammed into the rear of a stationary 30-tonne gas tanker that had failed to pull off the highway.
“The impact triggered a fire outbreak that rapidly spread to surrounding properties, affecting three warehouses and 10 roadside shops, including a gym and a generator house, ” she said.
The controller said that firefighters from Lekki Phase II, Oniru, and Epe II Fire stations were immediately deployed to the scene and successfully brought the blaze under control.
“Their swift response prevented the fire from escalating further, saving a nearby filling station, a fully loaded 33,000-litre Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker, and other valuable properties.
“After extinguishing the fire, emergency responders recovered three Sienna buses, one Toyota Corolla and a forklift from the affected premises, ” she said.
Adeseye said that the driver of the tipper truck and his assistant were recovered dead, while the driver of the gas tanker escaped unhurt.
According to her, efforts are ongoing to evacuate the wreckage of the affected vehicles.
She said that normalcy had returned to the area as authorities continued clearance operations.