A petrol tanker accident along the new Ife Expressway in Ibadan caused a major fire outbreak on Thursday evening, damaging vehicles and disrupting traffic near Celica Junction.
The tanker, loaded with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), lost control at about 6:27 p.m. Witnesses said the driver struggled to stop the vehicle after its brakes failed. The truck collided with a Prado SUV and another car before toppling over and catching fire.
Emergency units from the Oyo State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service arrived at the scene quickly. Firefighters deployed foam-based chemicals to suppress the flames. Their response prevented the fire from spreading to nearby buildings, including an NNPC petrol station located close to the crash site.
“We acted immediately to stop the fire from reaching other properties,” said Maroof Akinwande, head of the state’s fire service. “No lives were lost, but two vehicles were badly burnt.”
According to Akinwande, the impact of the crash forced one vehicle into a roadside gutter. Despite the intensity of the blaze, the emergency teams controlled the situation without injuries or fatalities.
Authorities cordoned off the area and diverted traffic to ease congestion. Dozens of commuters watched as responders worked for hours to contain the fire and clear the wreckage.
Officials have yet to release damage estimates, but photos from the scene showed the charred remains of the tanker and scorched vehicles.
Investigators are reviewing the cause of the accident. Transport regulators may also assess the mechanical condition of the truck and its compliance with road safety requirements.