The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has revealed that two men died in a tanker explosion which occurred on Friday night at the Ijesha end of the Cele link-bridge in Surulere area of the state.
The LSFRS Director, Margaret Adeseye, made this revelation in a statement on Saturday, adding that the firefighters swiftly reacted to the distress call to extinguish the fire.
What They’re Saying:
The statement partly read, “At approximately 23:12hrs emergency services were notified of a tanker truck, transporting 33k litres of petrol, losing control while navigating the roundabout to climb the bridge. The resulting spillage ignited into a large fire, swallowing the surrounding area.
“The prompt action by the Isolo and Bolade Fire Stations of the agency, contained the inferno, further thwarting further escalation.
“Unfortunately, the bodies of two male individuals were discovered tragically burnt beyond recognition. The corpses have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, overseeing the necessary procedures. The Lagos State Ambulance Service also provided vital assistance throughout the operation.”
At the time of filing this report, Adeseye revealed that efforts are ongoing to clear the wreckage of the involved vehicles from the road, to make way for free flow of traffic and to enable investigative procedures.
Why It Matters
Preventing tragic occurrences like the tanker explosion in Lagos requires a very ‘hands-on’ approach.
There’s a need for a strict enforcement of safety regulations for transporting hazardous materials. This safety regulations can include regular inspections of vehicles and adherence to speed limits, promoting infrastructure, such as improving road design and signage, and raising public awareness about the dangers of reckless driving.
The prompt and coordinated emergency response, demonstrated by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service should be acknowledged and praised as their swift response served to minimise the casualties in the aftermath of the disaster.
