Fire engulfs buildings in Saki as tanker spills content

Several houses and property were destroyed in Saki Area of Oyo State as a petrol tanker fell and spilled its content in the early hours of Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unmarked tanker spilled its content into buildings when the driver lost control while descending a road at Kinikini area of the town.

Some residents, who witnessed the incident, described it as “terrible and unfortunate.”

The Caretaker Chairman of Saki West Council, Mr Kareem Adegoke, told NAN that the council had provided an alternative route for articulated vehicles.

He wondered why some of the drivers preferred to embark on what he called “ dangerous journeys.’’

“We have done what is expected of us by providing an alternative route so as to avert this kind of ugly occurrence.

“Relevant authorities have been duly informed and I’m sure they will be here soon for an on- the-spot-assessment.

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“For now, we are relocating the affected residents to one of our camps to provide them with necessary shelter for now,’’ he said.

Mrs Akande Adeola, a 45-year-old house wife, said she escaped the inferno due to the alarm raised by passersby.

“I was already sleeping when I heard people shouting on top of their voices that we should move out.

“People were shouting and so we all moved out before the tanker eventually caught fire,’’ she said.

Another resident, Mr Monsuru Alebiosu, said he was still awake when he heard large noise from the tanker.

“When I ran out and saw that it was a petrol tanker that fell, I started shouting and calling on everyone to come out of their houses before the tanker caught fire,’’ he said.