A major fire or explosion was narrowly avoided in Lagos after a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of highly flammable ethanol crashed on the Second Rainbow Bridge in the Amuwo Odofin area, prompting an emergency response to secure the scene.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said no casualties were recorded in the incident, which occurred on Wednesday when the driver of a FOTON truck with registration number APP 346 YC attempted to negotiate a turn on the bridge.
LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said preliminary investigations linked the crash to suspected speeding, which allegedly caused the truck’s turntable to detach and fall onto the roundabout, blocking the entire stretch.
He said the agency’s Eagle Response Team, working with other emergency responders, immediately cordoned off the area and introduced crowd and traffic control measures because of the danger posed by the highly flammable substance.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Fire Service applied chemical foam to the tanker and surrounding area to suppress fumes and reduce the risk of a fire or explosion.
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) also assisted in securing the scene and managing traffic.
“Through coordinated and tactical efforts, a major disaster was averted, and no loss of life or casualty was recorded,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
In a separate incident, a Dangote cement truck mounted a road divider and became stuck at Oke Koto, Agege, obstructing traffic.
Oke-Osanyintolu attributed the incident to reckless driving, adding that LASEMA’s Tiger Response Team from C3 was deployed alongside LASTMA to clear the obstruction.
The agency deployed its heavy-duty recovery equipment, known as Super Metro, to remove the truck, which was subsequently towed to the LASTMA yard for further action.
The permanent secretary said the road had been reopened and no deaths or injuries were recorded in the incident.
He commended the emergency responders for their swift intervention and urged motorists to obey speed limits and traffic regulations, particularly when transporting heavy or hazardous materials.
He also advised residents to report emergencies through LASEMA’s toll-free lines, 767 and 112.