One killed, 4 houses burnt in Benin tanker fire accident

fire tanker

FILE: A fuel tanker burning

The burning fuel tanker in Benin
The burning fuel tanker in Benin
More than four houses gutted by fire Wednesday morning at Upper Mission junction along the Benin-Auchi express road after a tanker carrying fuel fell and spill its contents.

One life was reportedly lost in the incident. Witnesses said residents in other buildings are packing out their belongings to safe areas.

Three other persons were said to have sustained varying degrees of burns in the accident.

Meanwhile, shops and some vulcanisers, who were affected by the inferno have started counting their losses.

One of the shop owners, Mrs. Deborah Afubeli, whose provision shop was razed, said she lost goods worth N2 million in the fire.

Other residents of the area who spoke to journalists, blamed the condition of the expressway for the accident. They likened the road to a death trap.

When contacted, the Director of the Edo State Fire Service, Mr. Franklin Agbonlahor, said the fire was put out shortly after his team arrived the scene.

He blamed the driver of the Audi car for the accident, saying he refused to heed instructions when flagged down.

“The story is positive; the fire was brought under ‎control. A vehicle defied instructions of people that were flagging vehicles down when this happened. Immediately he came across the tanker, fire was ignited,” Agbonlahor said.

He advised road users to be patient while driving on the road, adding “When there is a distress situation, they should try and listen to anybody flagging you down. Life has no spare parts.”

Benin fuel tanker explosion
Benin fuel tanker explosion
Benin Fuel tanker explosion: Sympathisers at the scene
Benin Fuel tanker explosion: Sympathisers at the scene
Scene of the fuel tanker explosion
Scene of the fuel tanker explosion
Damages caused by the fire
Damages caused by the fire

Jethro Ibileke

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