By Fuel tanker explosion on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
Causes traffic gridlock
Summary
- Fuel-laden tanker explodes near Zumuratul Hujaj Community Grammar School in Adesola, Ibadan
- Firefighters struggle to contain intense flames; no casualties reported
- Traffic gridlock ensues as authorities close affected lane and battle blaze
Ibadan, Nigeria — A fuel-laden tanker exploded on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway around 1:30 pm on Monday after becoming detached from its trailer near Zumuratul Hujaj Community Grammar School in the Adesola area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The signpost of the secondary school by the site of the accident
Eyewitnesses said the tanker caught fire as it rolled onto its side, spewing its content and igniting a blaze that spread rapidly along the highway, aided by a waterway trench under the road.
The water trench under the expressway
Residents rushed to the scene, with some attempting to put out the flames before emergency responders arrived.
The dark smoke from the explosion could be seen from miles around
The explosion damaged nearby power lines, some of which snapped in half. Despite the severity of the incident, no casualties have been reported as of the time of filing this report.
A damaged power line
Firefighters from the Oyo State Fire Service working hard to put the fire out
Firefighters from the Oyo State Fire Service arrived within 20 minutes but struggled to extinguish the fire, which continued to burn intermittently. Police officers were also present, helping to manage the scene as the accident caused a traffic gridlock.
One lane of the dual carriageway was shut down, forcing both directions of traffic to use a single lane.
The traffic gridlock occasioned by the accident
While some speculated that the tanker detached due to driver negligence, others believed it was a common risk associated with heavy-duty transport. Efforts to completely douse the flames were ongoing at press time.
