By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
No fewer than two lives were lost in the early hours of Tuesday as a diesel tanker goes up in flame near the popular Odumodu Junction, Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra state.
The State Chief Fire Officer, Dr Martin Agbili confirmed the incident to The Network.
He said that the Fire Service received a distress call at about 0840hours (8:40 am) on Tuesday that a tanker loaded with gas had a burst tyre which resulted in a collision with a shuttle bus that caused the fire explosion at Odumodu Umunya.
“We immediately deployed our firemen to move down to the fire incident scene to extinguish the fire,” he said.
“According to the eyewitnesses and what we could confirm, two people were burnt to death.
“By the grace of God, the fire was completely extinguished and no other casualties were recorded during the fire fighting.
“We left the fire incident scene at about 1130 hours (11:30 am),” Agbili said.
The tanker a source said was loaded with diesel, and fell inside a gutter, after the driver lost control.
The source said the tanker immediately went up in flames after falling into the gutter.
“The diesel in the truck flowed through the gutter, generating flames and burning everything on its way.
“Men of Anambra State Fire Service have however arrived the scene and are battling to quench the fire, with passersby who trooped out in their number to assist, the source said.