Tanker Explosion at Otedola Bridge Razes Buildings, Vehicles
Kehinde Adeleye
A massive explosion involving a 30-tonne gas truck near the Otedola Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday night has left a trail of destruction in its wake.
The blast, which occurred around 7 pm, razed two buildings, including a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) building, and damaged four vehicles.
Footage shared on social media captured the intensity of the explosion, with thick flames and plumes of smoke billowing from the scene.
An X user, Tonye Oliver wrote, “Ongoing tanker fire at Otedola bridge, this is a major disaster!!”
Another user, Pamilerin Adegoke, urged motorists and commuters to avoid the Otedola Bridge.
“Please avoid Otedola Bridge, heavy fire right now,” Adegoke wrote.
As the incident unfolded, panicked residents and motorists fled for safety, resulting in gridlock along the expressway.
In response to the emergency, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service deployed its personnel to the scene. Margaret Adeseye, Director of the service, disclosed that the fire had spread to RCCG church, an adjoining bungalow, and four vehicles.
Adesye noted that the 30-tonne truck with no registration number went up in flames after the accident.
She said, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently attending to a fire resulting from a tanker accident outward Otedola Bridge, Omole, Lagos, at about 20:00 hours.
“The 30 tonnes DAF Gas Truck with an unknown registration number is on its way navigating the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway before an accident resulting in an ensuing explosion accompanied by fireballs in front of a Reeedemed church.
“The resultant fire quickly spread to the church and adjoining bungalow building as well as four different brands of vehicles as it being mitigated from causing further damage.”
She added that there was no human casualty at the time of sending the statement.
“While firefighting operations are ongoing, there has been no record of a casualty, with a further update to follow,” Adeseye said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed in a further update that the fire has been put out.
“We can confirm that the fire, which has now been put out, did not occur on the bridge.
“We can also confirm that there is a free flow of traffic on the bridge while officers of the Lagos State Police Command are fully on the ground to secure the scene for other post-fire activities,” Hundeyin said.
