No fewer than 14 people were injured, while property worth
millions of naira were destroyed, yesterday, in Lagos as a tanker laden with
33,000 litres of petrol fell off Iyana-Ipaja bridge, resulting in an explosion which
triggered a fire that raged for about 10 hours.
Affected property include a popular recording company, Remi
Odus; electrical cables, three buildings, 44 shops, six tricycles and 22
vehicles, among others.
The incident happened around 1a.m. when the tanker which was
moving from Agege end of the road lost control and fell off the bridge at
Iyana-Ipaja, spilling its contents which spread to five adjoining streets on
the axis.
There were conflicting accounts about the cause of the
incident which some people attributed to fatigue on the part of the driver,
while others said it was caused by brake failure.
State governor, Akinwumi Ambode, has since visited the scene
of the inferno, pledging to look into the situation.
The affected areas included Adebayo, Jafojo, Oremeji, Abule
Oki, Ipaja Road and Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
Eye witnesses’ accounts said both the tanker driver and his
conductor escaped unhurt, while 14 others sustained minor injuries and were
treated and discharged by medics of the Lagos State Ambulance Services,
LASAMBUS.
Area Boys on the prowl
While the inferno lasted, some street urchins, popularly
known as area boys, took advantage of the situation to loot several shops,
carting away valuables.
The arrival of law enforcement agents, however, restored
order in the area.
No comments:
Post a Comment