A major disaster was narrowly averted on Sunday in Lagos after a petrol tanker exploded at Iyana-Isolo, inward Oshodi, setting off a fierce blaze that engulfed four nearby trucks.
The incident, which occurred along the busy corridor, caused widespread panic among residents and road users. Eyewitnesses said the fully-loaded fuel tanker overturned while in motion and immediately exploded, sending thick black smoke into the air.
According to reports, the fire rapidly spread to other trucks parked by the roadside, but swift intervention by emergency responders prevented further destruction.
Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in coordination with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, police divisions from Aswani, Ilasa, and Mushin, as well as the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, rushed to the scene to bring the situation under control.
Speaking after the fire was put out, LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said prompt action by emergency teams helped prevent the tragedy from escalating. He confirmed that reinforcements were deployed from nearby zones to support the firefighting and rescue operation.
“Thanks to the quick response of our officers and other emergency agencies, we were able to control the fire and avoid a larger disaster,” Bakare-Oki said. “No lives were lost, which is the most important outcome.”
He added that preliminary investigations suggest reckless driving and over-speeding by the tanker driver may have caused the accident.
Bakare-Oki warned drivers of tankers, articulated vehicles and other heavy-duty trucks to drive with caution, especially when carrying flammable materials.
“Drivers must understand the risk involved in moving petrol. A moment of carelessness can lead to loss of lives and property,” he warned.
He also urged the public to make use of LASTMA’s emergency hotline (080000527862) to report any traffic-related emergencies or accidents promptly.
Meanwhile, traffic was briefly diverted from the affected stretch of road while firefighters battled the flames and cleared the area for safety.
Normal traffic flow has since been restored.
The incident is a reminder of the dangers posed by fuel tankers on Nigerian roads, particularly in densely populated urban areas like Lagos. Authorities have repeatedly called for stricter regulation and training for tanker drivers to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
