Explosion in Ibadan, 3 dead as NNPC Tanker Explodes

AT least three persons were feared dead on Tuesday while another five sustained severe burns at Orogun Junction, on the Iwo road/Ojoo expressway when a Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) petrol tanker trying to offload fuel suddenly exploded and caught fire.

The three victims were said to have died as the fuel burst into the area and exploded, burning properties and human beings along its path.

Two Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) parked around the area and about eight shops were also torched by the raging inferno.

It was gathered that the situation got out of hand when the Oyo State Fire Service that had stormed the scene ran out of water and had to wait for another vehicle for water.

It was learnt further that while the service was still waiting for water, the fire went wild and engulfed the surrounding shops and some other houses around, including some vehicles parked on the road.

The five injured persons who sustained serious burns were rushed to the hospital with an Oyo State ambulance dispatched to the scene.

Heavy smoke covered the area as most shops and car owners who packed their vehicles close to the scene made frantic efforts to move their vehicles away for fear of being burnt.

Dr Ayo Osisanwo, an eye witness, told newsmen that the incident started when an NNPC truck was offloading fuel from another NNPC truck which had mechanical fault and had broken down in the middle of the road around 11.00 a.m.

According to him, the inferno started in the process of technical transfer of the fuel to an empty tanker when the tanker with fuel suddenly caught fire.

The situation caused heavy traffic snarl as only one lane was used by motorists, just as men of the Nigerian Police and men of Nigerian Civil Defence Corps had a difficult time controlling the traffic.

Hoodlums also took advantage of the situation to steal the property of victims, having escaped from the scene to avoid getting caught in the inferno.

Another eyewitness who did not want his name in print said: An NNPC tanker was trying to offload fuel from the other one that fell off by the road side. Suddenly, the loaded one caught fire and the driver tried hard to drive it away from the one already burning. He was successful and later jumped out of the vehicle after the rescue.”