By Editor
Tragedy struck in Lagos on Saturday after a gas tanker explosion along the Lekki-Epe Expressway claimed two lives and destroyed several properties.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the day when a speeding 20-tonne tipper truck rammed into a stationary 30-tonne gas tanker that had reportedly failed to pull off the road. The collision triggered a massive explosion, engulfing nearby structures in flames.
According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the accident was reported at about 2:36 a.m., prompting emergency response teams from Lekki Phase II, Oniru, and Epe II fire stations to swiftly mobilize to the scene.
The resulting fire spread rapidly, affecting three warehouses and about 10 roadside shops, including a gym facility and a generator house. However, firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it could reach a nearby filling station, preventing further disaster.
In the aftermath, several vehicles within the affected premises including three Sienna buses, a Toyota Corolla, and a forklift were recovered.
The driver of the tipper truck and his assistant were confirmed dead, with their bodies severely burnt. The driver of the gas tanker, however, escaped unharmed.
Authorities have since brought the situation under control, while efforts continue to clear the wreckage of the vehicles involved. Normal traffic and activities have gradually resumed in the area.
