A major disaster was averted after a truck conveying 33,000 litres of ethanol fell at the Second Rainbow Bridge in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos State.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency disclosed this in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, on Wednesday, adding that no casualties were recorded in the incident.
According to the PS, the tanker, a FOTON truck with registration number APP 346 YC, fell while its driver was attempting to negotiate a turn on the bridge.
Oke-Osanyintolu stated that preliminary investigation attributed the incident to speeding, which caused the truck’s turntable to detach and fall on the roundabout, blocking the entire stretch.
He stated, “Recognising the highly volatile nature of ethanol and the imminent risk of fire and explosion, the Eagle Response Team, in collaboration with other responders, immediately cordoned off the area and activated crowd and traffic control measures.”
He added that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Fire Service applied chemical foam to the tanker and the surrounding area to suppress fumes and prevent a secondary incident.
He noted that officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority assisted in securing the scene and managing traffic.
Oke-Osanyintolu stated, “Through coordinated and tactical efforts, a major disaster was averted, and no loss of life or casualty was recorded.”
In a separate incident, the PS said the agency’s Tiger Response Team from C3 rescued traffic movement at Oke Koto, Agege, after a Dangote cement truck climbed a road divider and became stuck.
The incident, which was attributed to reckless driving, obstructed vehicular movement and prompted the deployment of the agency’s response team in collaboration with LASTMA.
He stated that its heavy-duty recovery equipment, known as Super Metro, was deployed to remove the truck, which was subsequently towed to the LASTMA yard for further action.
Oke-Osanyintolu added that the road had been reopened to traffic, adding that no death or injury was recorded in the incident.
He commended emergency responders for their swift intervention and urged motorists to observe speed limits and traffic regulations, particularly when transporting heavy and hazardous materials.
The permanent secretary also urged residents to report emergencies through the agency’s toll-free lines, 767 and 112.
PUNCH Online reported on Tuesday that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service rescued two adult men from a fire that engulfed an eight-room bungalow on Onitire Road, Itire, Lagos State, with one of them sustaining burn injuries.
The agency stated that the 42-year-old man was injured while attempting to rescue a 75-year-old wheelchair user from the burning building.