By Oluseye Ojo
At least, five vehicles, including 18-passenger bus, middle-sized trucks, and a Micra taxi, were burnt when a petrol tanker caught fire in Ibadan yesterday.
The incident occurred at the junction of Ibadan Circular Road in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State.
As at the time the incident occurred, eyewitness said there was heavy traffic on the highway that connects Ibadan to Osun State. The tanker caught fire in the traffic snarl.
An official of Oyo State Fire Services, Mr. Akinyinka, when contacted, said: “We received a distress call about the incident and immediately dispatched our men to the scene. As we speak, our firefighters are working tirelessly to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.”
He also urged motorists and residents in the area to exercise caution and avoid the affected section of the road until the situation is brought under control.
Akinyinka stated: “We will conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of this unfortunate incident. Our priority right now is to ensure the safety of the public and bring the fire under control.”
The burnt vehicles were said to have been towed away from the scene, and authorities are working on reopening the road to ease traffic.
A motorist said: “It’s unfortunate that this incident occurred, but we must remain vigilant and cautious, while on the road. Safety should always be our top priority.”
