Woman And Her Two Children Killed In Ogun Tanker Fire

a tanker on fire
a tanker on fire

Wednesday night was tragic for residents of Idi Iroko, in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, as a fully loaded petrol tanker fell on Ago-Sasa road and spilled its contents which subsequently sparked up an inferno that led to the death of a mother and her two children.

At least 15 people sustained injury, while 16 houses and shops in the area were razed by the fire.

Eyewitnesses say the family members burnt to death in the accident were already sleeping when the fire started.

“It was a serious incident; we were already on bed when it happened. A tanker was moving into a nearby filling station to unload its contents when it fell and spilled its content and caught fire.

“It was so bad because it happened in the night when people were already asleep. A family of three was wiped out and about 15 people were seriously injured in the inferno,” an eyewitness said.

Sources confirmed however that a four year old last child of the family survived the incident and was receiving treatment at the General Hospital in the area.

Confirming the incident, the Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Irunoje David Abiodun revealed that the tanker belonged to some smugglers who were trying to move fuel across the border.

According to him, a fuel laden vehicle marked LAGOS AAA 36 XA, lost control and rammed into two other tankers before it went up in flames.

“I think there was a spark from the tanker and then it caught fire. The two children and the mother were burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

The fire service in Ipokia Local Government, Abiodun said was contacted, but the damage had been done before the fire could be quenched.

1 COMMENT

  1. FRSC enjoys stopping private cars and asking them stupid questions instead of focusing on the main issues.1. Nigerian drivers on our trunk A roads speed a lot and FRSC do not do anything about this issue. They make between 120/160 km/hr. 2. Danfo drivers and big truck ones drive with very poor tyres and dilapidated vehicles. 3. The tanker drivers are dare devils and speed ,struggle on the road not caring about the volatile liquid they are carrying. The killing by tankers is getting out of hand.Last year alone over 150 Nigerians died due to tanker accidents and millions of properties gone. Let FRSC focus on the main things and stop disturbing only the more mature ensible private vehicle owners on the road of Nigeria.