Over 30 Houses, Shops Razed in Ibadan Petroleum Tanker Accident

SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, (THEWILL) – Over 30 houses and shops were burnt to ashes on Monday afternoon in the densely-populated Omitowoju area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, when a fully loaded petroleum tanker fell off the road, spilled its content in the gutter and eventually caught fire .

The tanker was said to be trying to link the Inalende road towards the Mokola round about, due to the closure of the Dugbe/Mokola road as a result of the ongoing construction of an overhead bridge in Mokola , when the driver lost control of the vehicle and fell on its side, spilling its 33,000 litres of petrol in the process.

As the fire continued to burn, motorists plying the route quickly changed direction as men of the State Fire Service and other sympathisers tried to put out the fire.

According to an eye witness, residents of the area quickly moved out of their houses and shops and ran for dear lives in order not to be caught up in the raging fire which consumed the whole area.

Though the fatality from the incident could not be ascertained when filing this report, the whereabouts of an old man believed to be in one of the affected buildings remained unknown.