Two persons have been confirmed died and many injured in a fire resulting from an explosion involving four vehicles at the Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Sunday.
It was gathered that the accident involved two petrol tankers, a gas truck, and a cement transport truck.
Emergency officials, comprising the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the state fire service and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) arrived to control the inferno and gridlock caused by the incident.
While giving an update on the incident, Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Olusegun Ogungbemide, said rescue operations have so far found two dead bodies.
Ogungbemide stated that;
The inferno as a result of the explosion is almost getting to an end. The fire services are still here from Lagos and Ogun states. So far, we have been able to move two casualties to the General Hospital Gbagada. One was burnt beyond recognition.
He added;
The accident involved three tankers and one truck. Two of the tankers carrying petrol, another carrying gas, and an articulated truck.
On the possible cause of the accident, Ogungbemide, who noted that investigation is still ongoing, said observations revealed that one of the tankers lost control and rammed into others which resulted in the explosion.
He noted that;
It was a loss of control. One of the tankers that rammed into other vehicles either had brake failure or got distracted. An investigation is still on, we cannot just be accurate now.
Ogungbemide advised motorists to avoid the expressway and take alternative routes as the fire has caused gridlock.
He stressed that;
To cushion the effect on the road users, FRSC temporarily diverted traffic between New Garage and the end of Kara bridge to allow a counter-flow for Ibadan bound traffic to use a lane from the Lagos bound section of the expressway.
The FRSC commander stated;
Those travelling from Ibadan may turn at Sagamu interchange and use Abeokuta to Lagos through Sango Otta, Abule Egba, Iyana-Ipaja. People travelling out of Lagos may also use the above route and travellers from Lagos Island can explore Victoria Island, Ajah to Ijebu Ode to continue their journey.
However, motorists around Mowe, Ibafo entering into Lagos or vice-versa using the temporary lane should please drive with extreme caution.
The Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Agency, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the fire hasĀ been put out.
He said;
Though the valve on the truck is still leaking with gas, the inferno from other trucks has been curtailed. The inferno was completely put out at 10:03 am by the combined effort of Tiger team, LRU Fire, LASG Fire Service, FED Fire Service, and Ogun State Fire service.
See some photos from the fire incident below;
