A petrol tanker loaded with fuel overturned and caught fire on Sunday at Iyana-Isolo, near Oshodi in Lagos, causing chaos and threatening nearby vehicles.
Eyewitnesses said the tanker exploded immediately, and the fire spread to at least four trucks parked nearby. Fortunately, swift action by emergency responders prevented what could have been a major disaster.
Teams from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Fire and Rescue Service, local police divisions, and the Neighbourhood Safety Corps quickly arrived on the scene. Roads around the site were cordoned off, and traffic was redirected to keep people safe.
LASTMA’s General Manager expressed relief that no lives were lost, attributing the outcome to the rapid coordination of all agencies. He warned drivers of tankers and heavy-duty vehicles to avoid reckless speeding, which appears to have caused the accident, and urged residents to report emergencies via the agency’s hotline.
“The prompt response of our teams ensured that this incident did not turn into a tragedy,” he said, emphasizing that LASTMA remains committed to protecting lives and property across Lagos.