About twenty-six people died in a fire incident that occurred at the Aduloju community, along the Iwo-Ojoo Road area of Ibadan on Friday. Also, no fewer than 26 vehicles and property worth millions of naira were lost to the incident.
Among the dead was a nursing mother, who got burnt while trying to pull her trapped child from the inferno.
According to a witness, the fire started around 10.30 am when the driver of a trailer loaded with a petroleum product lost control while trying to avoid a head-on collision with an 18-passenger bus. The trailer, it was further learnt, rammed into a pole by the side of the road and spilled its content. This sparked the fire which spread far.
All the 18 commuters in the bus were burnt beyond recognition. Also killed were another eight road-side mechanics working in the vicinity.
The nursing mother was said to be operating an engine oil sales kiosk by the road side close to the scene of the incident.
Several others, who were injured by the inferno, were said to be receiving treatment at different hospitals in Ibadan.
A crowd watched helplessly while the victims got charred beyond recognition. Some buildings, including a church, were also affected.
Before the officials of the state fire service arrived the scene, a huge damage had already been done by the fire. They were, however, able to put out the raging fire, which created panic as it spread.
The incident also caused traffic congestion, but was brought under control by men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who swung to action immediately they arrived at the scene.
Godwin Ogagaoghene, the state sector commander of the FRSC who confirmed the incident yesterday, said his men were in control of the situation.
SOURCE: 234NEXT
