SUNDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2012 00:00

CHARRED remains of human bodies and
vehicles told the story in its full ghoulish
ramifications: Lagos State had a foretaste of
Armageddon yesterday.
It was the consequence of an overturned
fully loaded fuel tanker which caught fire
and spilled its deathly content on the road.
Within seconds, the fire followed the
content as far it went, carrying death and
destruction with it.
The time was just a little after midnight,
when the residents of Orile-Badagry, along
Mile 2 in the metropolis were just catching
their sleep.
While the number of the dead could not be
ascertained at press time yesterday, because
the area was cordoned off, sources
disclosed that no fewer than 35 vehicles
were completely burnt.
Eyewitnesses said that the fully-laden tanker
lost control while turning on a bridge at the
Mile 2 area. It overturned and emptied its
contents on the road. Balls of fire followed.
The number plate of the tanker was XB 370
ATN,
Most of the vehicles and human beings
affected were burnt beyond recognition and
their remains littered the scene.
Up in flames also were property and goods
in the area.
Several private cars, commercial buses of
Osariemen Motors, Ufuoma Motors, Lord's
Banner Motors, and commercial buses
popularly called Danfo, were also burnt.
The eyewitnesses were reported to believe
that the tanker driver and his colleague
escaped unhurt as the doors of the tanker
were open with the headlight still left on as
at yesterday morning.
One Jimoh Ojo, who claimed to have
witnessed it all, said described the scene as
“hell was let loose.”He added that the fire
spread widely to even vehicles that were as
far away as100 metres from the point of the
accident.
Ojo said: “I managed to escape with my
friends, as we were drinking when the
incident happened, it was a miracle.”
Another eyewitness, Adewale Ibrahim said
that the fire lasted for two hours and spread
in a few minutes.
“My bus, which is on hire purchase, was
consumed beyond recognition.”