Ibadan tanker fire kills 20

No fewer than 20 persons were reportedly burnt to death in a petroleum tanker fire in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Friday.

The fire occurred at Aduloju community on Iwo-Ojoo Road in the state capital.


Eyewitnesses said the fire erupted when a tanker loaded with substance suspected to be petroleum product, while trying to prevent a head-on collision with an oncoming commercial bus, ran into a pole at the roadside.

The tanker was said to have spilled its content on the road, causing the inferno.

Eyewitnesses claimed that about 18 passengers in the bus were burnt beyond recognition.

They claimed that some roadside auto mechanics were killed in the fire incident.

Our correspondent learnt that many other people, who sustained varying degrees of injury in the inferno, were rushed to nearby hospitals by Good Samaritans.

About 15 vehicles, most of which were parked at the roadside mechanic village, were razed.

About eight buildings, including a church located close to the scene, were gutted by the fire.

Men of the state fire service later joined sympathisers to put out the fire.

A combined team of policemen and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps was drafted to the scene.

When contacted, Oyo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Godwin Ogagaoghene, confirmed the incident. He, however, put the death toll at 10.