An early evening fire<\/span> from a somersaulted<\/span> fuel tanker yesterday claimed one life and completely burnt nine vehicles in Lagos.<\/span><\/p>\n The incident, which occurred at the Magodo Estate Junction, about one kilometer from the old Toll Gate along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, resulted in a traffic snarl that stretched several kilometers on both sides of the six-lane dual carriage way.<\/span><\/p>\n The gridlock flowed to adjoining roads, particularly the Mile 12 and Maryland axis of the ever busy Ikorodu Road.<\/span><\/p>\n The accident, according to an eyewitness who identified himself as Abdulkareem, happened when the tanker, which was also completely burnt down, lost control as it tried to avoid another truck that was making a U-Turn from the other carriage way of the express road.<\/span> The impact caused an explosion that consumed a man, who was said to be one of the goat sellers. About four goats and nine vehicles were also burnt.<\/span><\/p>\n Men of the Lagos State Fire Service battled the fire, which another eyewitness said started at about 5.20 pm till it was finally put out around 7.30 pm.<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking to The Nation, Lagos State Chief Fire Officer, Adebayo Olayinka, said the Lagos State Fire Service deployed six engines to tackle the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n He said: \u201cAs you can see, we are here and, thank God, the situation is under control now. There is only one casualty. You can even see him there. Then we have about nine vehicles and four goats.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018\u2019We deployed six engines from stations close to the scene of accident. That is our rule. We don\u2019t leave the job to one station and say it is your job. In a situation like this, we must all swoop on the fire. That is exactly what we have done here now,\u201d he explained.<\/span><\/p>\n
As it skidded off the road, it landed on its side in a place where some auto mechanics have been using as workshop and some goat sellers have been using as their market.<\/span><\/p>\n