There was confusion at the premises of Zoom Mobile, a now moribund telecommunications company located close to the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos on Sunday, following a an explosion while some people were transferring fuel.
The ensuing incident left neighbours and residents scampering to safety, many thinking it must have been a bomb explosion.
Though fire fighters from the state got to the scene early enough, the fire incident resulted in the destruction of three petrol tankers and one trailer. At the time of this report, nobody died; but those around the scene sustained varied degrees of injury.
Mr. Bassey Moses, a security guard with Zoom, explained that the fuel was not petrol but diesel. He said while the transfer was going on, the generator that was being used sparked, resulting in the explosion and fire.
He said they had been instructed to ensure that the tanker drivers do not park their vehicles in front of the company, but that in the case of the incident that happened on Sunday, the tanker had a mechanical fault and the content needed to be transferred. But while the diesel was being transferred into another tanker, the explosion occurred.
The rescue operation involved police officers who were drafted to the scene, barricading the area to prevent the crowd from getting close while the fire fighters battled the raging storm.
Assistant Controller of Fire, Federal Fire Services, Mr Ganiyu Olayiwola, whose team was also at the scene, explained that he mobilised four stations — Surulere, Ebute-Meta, Festac and Lagos Island — to the scene.
Director, Lagos State Fire Services, Mr Rasaq Fadipe said he received a distress phone at about noon and that his men were also at the scene and they were helping in battling the fire.
Last month, a tanker accident on the Apapa Expressway had resulted in the death of over 15 people and destruction of many buildings.
