Ruth Semilore
Commuters along the Inisa/Okuku/Offa highway were seized by fear Saturday evening, as a truck carrying petroleum reportedly caught fire while travelling on the interstate road.
It could not be immediately ascertained when the fire started, but footage obtained from the scene around 5:30 pm revealed a raging fire on the truck, left in the middle of the highway.
Also, some operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and men of the Osun State Fire Service were observed working to contain the fire.
The presence of the burning truck on the ever-busy road had forced commuters to find alternative routes and bypass the point where the vehicle was located.
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The spokespersons of the Osun NSCDC, Kehinde Adeleke, and State Fire Service, Ibrahim Adekunle, confirmed the incident in separate telephone conversations with our correspondent.
Adeleke, who said the Command deployed operatives to the scene immediately after the incident was reported, added, “A thirty-three thousand litres tanker fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit is on fire presently at Ijabe town, right on the highway which links Osun state with Kwara.
“The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained. The incident has led to blockage of the road and has also caused obstruction to vehicular movement, which in turn has brought about panic to the dwellers, travellers and most especially farmers around the area.”
Adekunle, while commenting, said the situation was under control, noting that firemen were working hard to prevent further destruction.
