Tragedy was averted yesterday when two diesel-laden tankers, which were parked within the premises of a primary school at the ever-busy Marine Beach area of Apapa, Lagos, exploded and went up in flames.
Confirming the incident, the South-west spokesman, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said no life was lost.
He said: “A fuel tanker just fully loaded with AGO (diesel) at Total depot went up in flames at Marine Beach, Apapa.
“The tanker which loaded from Total depot and was parked within the premises of Saint Theresa Primary School, was about to set out when it suddenly got engulfed in fire, causing another tanker parked nearby to catch fire.
“Operatives from the federal and state fire service were able to bring the situation under total control. No injury or casualties were recorded, neither was there any damage to public or private property.”
In another development, a yet-to-be identified young woman was yesterday crushed to death on her way to work, by a heavy-duty truck at the Lekki area of the state.
According to eyewitness accounts, the deceased was trying to cross the road from the Abraham Adesanya end of Lekki Gardens when the truck driver, who was speeding, knocked her down.
Although the truck driver tried to drive away, he was caught by passers-by, who almost lynched him but for the intervention of the police.
However, before the police got to the scene of the incident, the enraged mob had set the truck on fire, thereby causing a traffic snarl along that stretch of road, as other trucks were also damaged.
Hours after the incident occurred, the deceased’s husband was finally located. When he got to the scene and saw the mangled body of his wife, he threw up in shock.
As at press time, peace had been restored to the area by the police officers who mounted a surveillance to prevent the mob from turning violent again.
