Ibadan Petrol Tanker Explosion: 33,000 Litres of Fuel Spill Contained, No Casualties

A petrol tanker carrying about 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) exploded yesterday at Celica Junction on the new Ife Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State. The tanker reportedly lost control due to brake failure, collided with a Prado SUV and another car, overturned, and burst into flames around 6:27 p.m.

"Firefighters swiftly responded to the scene, deploying chemical foam compounds to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to a nearby NNPC filling station and surrounding properties.

The fire was eventually brought under control through a joint effort between the Oyo State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service.

Preliminary reports indicate that the incident was caused by brake failure, which led the tanker to lose control while in motion. The vehicle veered off course, collided with a Prado Jeep and another car, overturned on the open road, and subsequently caught fire.

Fortunately, no casualties were recorded. However, the blaze destroyed the petrol tanker and one car, while the Prado Jeep was pushed into a nearby gutter upon impact."

The fire services successfully prevented the fire from spreading to the nearby NNPC filling station and surrounding properties, thereby averting a larger disaster.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Fire Services Agency, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, assured the public that the situation was fully under control and encouraged residents to continue their daily activities without fear, as the fire had been completely extinguished.

Present at the scene to provide security and manage traffic were the Director of Operations, Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Engr. I. A. Adeleke; officers of the Nigeria Police Force (Egbeda Division); the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); Amotekun Corps; and the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA).

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