A tipper truck and a gas tanker on Saturday collided along the Lekki–Epe Expressway in the Sangotedo area of Lagos killing two persons.
The collision, which occurred around 2:36 a.m., sparked a massive fire that quickly spread to nearby structures, and burnt three warehouses and 10 roadside shops.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Controller General, Margaret Adeseye, said emergency responders from the Lekki Phase II, Oniru and Epe II fire stations were immediately deployed following distress calls received.
It was learnt that the speeding 20-tonne tipper truck coming from the Epe axis rammed into the rear of the stationary 30-tonne gas tanker that did not fully park well off the highway.
Adeseye said firefighters brought the inferno under control and prevented it from spreading to a nearby filling station and a fully loaded 33,000-litre Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker, thereby averting more devastating explosion.
Emergency officials also recovered three Sienna buses, a Toyota Corolla and a forklift from the affected premises.
“The driver of the tipper truck and his assistant were burnt beyond recognition, while the driver of the gas tanker escaped unhurt,” she said.
Evacuation of the wreckage was ongoing from the scene as at press time.
