Emergency responders in Lagos have prevented a possible fire or explosion after a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of ethanol fell at the Second Rainbow Bridge in the Amuwo-Odofin area.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said no casualties were recorded in the incident, which occurred when the driver of a FOTON truck, with registration number APP 346 YC, attempted to negotiate a turn on the bridge.
LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said preliminary investigations linked the incident to speeding, which allegedly caused the truck’s turntable to detach and fall on the roundabout, blocking the road.
He said the volatile nature of ethanol prompted emergency responders to cordon off the area and introduce crowd and traffic control measures to prevent a fire or explosion.
“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,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Fire Service applied chemical foam to the tanker and surrounding area to suppress fumes and reduce the risk of a secondary incident.
The police and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority also helped secure the scene and manage traffic.
“Through coordinated and tactical efforts, a major disaster was averted, and no loss of life or casualty was recorded,” the permanent secretary said.
In a separate incident, a Dangote cement truck climbed a road divider and became stuck at Oke Koto, Agege, obstructing traffic.
LASEMA said its Tiger Response Team, working with LASTMA, deployed heavy-duty recovery equipment known as Super Metro to remove the truck. The vehicle was subsequently towed to the LASTMA yard for further action.
The agency said traffic had been restored and no deaths or injuries were recorded in the incident.
Oke-Osanyintolu commended the emergency teams for their swift response and urged motorists to obey speed limits and traffic regulations, particularly when transporting heavy or hazardous materials.
He also advised residents to report emergencies through LASEMA’s toll-free lines, 767 and 112.
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