JUST-IN: Diesel Tanker Catches Fire Under Otedola Bridge In Lagos

A 33,000-litre tanker conveying petroleum products has caught fire after reportedly falling between the inward and outward sections of Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze, while damping-down operations were ongoing to prevent a possible re-ignition.

The Controller-General of the service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, disclosed this in an emergency incident report, stating that a distress call was received at 4.09 pm.

According to Adeseye, firefighters from the Alausa and Ikeja fire stations were immediately mobilised and arrived at the scene at 4.16 pm, seven minutes after the distress call.

The report stated that the tanker was conveying petroleum products from a depot when it fell between the inward and outward sections of the bridge, resulting in the fire.

Adeseye said the firefighters responded promptly and successfully extinguished the blaze.

She added that damping-down operations were continuing to cool affected materials, eliminate residual hotspots and prevent the fire from reigniting.

However, the incident report did not establish the cause of the tanker’s fall or specify the extent of property damage or whether any casualties were recorded.

The incident has again raised concerns about the risks associated with petroleum tanker accidents on Otedola Bridge, a section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that has witnessed previous tanker fires.

Such incidents can pose serious dangers due to the flammable nature of petroleum products, heavy traffic, and the proximity of other vehicles to accident scenes.

Although the cause of the latest incident remains unknown, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the fire had been extinguished, with emergency personnel continuing operations to reduce the risk of a recurrence.

Further details on casualties, property damage, the condition of the tanker and the restoration of normal traffic movement were not provided in the report.