Joy Anyim
One person has reported died, while 16 others sustained various degree of injuries, after an NNPC 45,000 litre capacity tanker, loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), fell, and burst into flames in front of Oando Filling Station, Obalende, Lagos, on Friday.
This development comes barely four days after a tanker had exploded at an NNPC Filling Station at Yaya Abatan Street, off College Road, Lagos, leaving 30 vehicles badly damaged, and properties destroyed.
According to the DG/CEO of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the injured persons at the Friday fire, were receiving treatment.
While stating that the fire had been put off, Oke – Osanyintolu said: “ The agency received a distress call concerning a 45000 liter capacity tanker loaded with PMS which was ablaze, having fallen on its side directly in front of the petrol station.
“ Efforts to combat the flames by the agency’s officials and men of the Lagos State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service have been successful and the fire has been extinguished and the station and surrounding buildings protected.
“ Unfortunately, the inferno has resulted in a single fatality, 15 minor casualties and one major casualty, who happens to be a Lagos State Firefighter. He has been subsequently transferred to the Lagos State General Hospital for treatment while minor casualties received on the scene medical attention.
“ We appeal for calm and urge members of the public to keep away and allow the responders to conclude recovery when we will be able to clear the road for vehicular traffic. We regret any inconvenience caused. ”
