Two people were burnt to death in a petrol tanker explosion at Orita Challenge, Ibadan, after a brake failure caused fuel spillage and fire. The Oyo Fire Service confirmed the incident, stating that their swift response prevented further destruction. The victims’ remains were handed to the FRSC.
A tragic fire incident at a petrol station in Orita Challenge, Ibadan, claimed the lives of a tanker driver and his motor boy after their vehicle caught fire in the early hours of Tuesday. The Oyo State Fire Services Agency confirmed the incident, stating that emergency responders arrived at the scene at 5:15 am to combat the raging flames.
According to the agency’s General Manager, Yemi Akinyinka, preliminary investigations revealed that the tanker’s brakes failed, causing the driver to lose control and spill fuel, which ignited the fire. Despite the swift intervention of the fire service, the two victims were unable to escape and were burnt beyond recognition.
The Oyo State Fire Service, alongside private emergency responders, managed to contain the fire before it spread to nearby residential buildings. The remains of the victims were later handed over to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Akinyinka assured the public that further investigations would be conducted to determine any additional safety lapses that may have contributed to the disaster.
Residents of the area expressed concerns about the frequent occurrence of such incidents, calling on the government to enforce stricter safety regulations for fuel transportation. The tragic event has once again highlighted the dangers associated with fuel tankers and the urgent need for preventive measures to avoid further loss of life.
