March 21, (THEWILL) — Two persons were burnt beyond recognition in the early hours of Saturday after a speeding tipper truck rammed into a stationary gas tanker at Tera Ahmed bus stop, Sangotedo, along the Lekki–Epe Expressway, triggering a massive inferno that destroyed warehouses, shops, and vehicles.
The accident, which occurred at about 2:36 a.m., involved a 20-tonne tipper truck reportedly travelling at high speed from the Epe axis.
The truck crashed into a 30-tonne gas tanker that had broken down and failed to pull off the highway, leading to a violent impact that ignited a fire.
The victims (driver of the tipper and his assistant), were trapped in the mangled vehicle and burnt beyond recognition before emergency responders could reach the scene.
Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said firefighters were immediately deployed from Lekki Phase II, Oniru, and Epe II fire stations following a distress call.
She explained that the collision triggered a fast-spreading blaze due to the highly flammable contents of the tanker, with flames quickly engulfing adjoining structures.
According to her, three warehouses and about 10 roadside shops (including a gym and a generator house), were affected, with goods and property worth millions of naira destroyed in the inferno.
Several vehicles parked within the premises were also caught in the fire.
“After the blaze had been doused, three Sienna buses, one Toyota Corolla car, and a forklift were recovered from the affected premises.
“The tipper driver and his assistant were also recovered burnt beyond recognition, while the gas tanker driver escaped unhurt,” she said.
Adeseye added that emergency crews worked intensively to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to more critical assets nearby, including a petrol filling station and a fully loaded 33,000-litre Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker.
She noted that the timely intervention of firefighters helped avert a secondary explosion that could have resulted in significantly higher casualties and widespread destruction.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as residents, traders and passersby fled the area upon hearing a loud impact followed by flames that lit up the night sky.
Authorities subsequently cordoned off the affected section of the expressway to allow emergency operations and ensure public safety, leading to temporary disruption of traffic along the busy corridor.
Adeseye confirmed that efforts were ongoing to evacuate the wreckage of both trucks and clear the debris, adding that normalcy had gradually returned to the area.
Investigations are underway to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash, particularly the role of speed and road safety compliance.
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