Firefighters in Oyo State have prevented a potentially catastrophic explosion after a 14,000-litre Mercedes-Benz tanker caught fire along Eleyele Road in Ibadan.
Incident occurred opposite the Nursing School, Eleyele, on Monday evening after the Oyo State Fire Services Agency received a distress call at about 6:37 p.m.
According to the agency, the tanker, with registration number EKY 531 YK (Lagos), was designed to carry Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel. However, it was empty when the fire broke out.
Firefighters led by an officer identified as Adigun quickly arrived at the scene and applied water to the tanker to prevent the flames from spreading and potentially triggering an explosion.
Their intervention successfully brought the fire under control within a short period, with no casualty recorded.
The agency said preliminary findings indicated that sparks from the tanker’s engine compartment caused the fire.
The operation involved personnel from multiple emergency and security agencies.
A team from the Federal Fire Service, led by an officer identified as Adebodun, supported the firefighting operation.
Policemen from the Eleyele Divisional Headquarters, led by CSP Grace Akinseyin, also assisted at the scene, alongside officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from its Oyo State Headquarters in Eleyele, led by Inspector Akinpelu.
Following the successful operation, the firefighting appliance returned safely to its station at about 8:19 p.m. and was placed on standby.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, urged motorists and other road users to prioritise regular vehicle maintenance.
Akinwande said proper vehicle maintenance, coupled with compliance with road traffic regulations, would help reduce the risk of fire outbreaks and road crashes.
He also advised owners and occupants of public and commercial premises to install appropriate fire extinguishers and other basic firefighting equipment.
According to him, having firefighting equipment readily available can help occupants contain an outbreak at its early stage before it escalates.
Akinwande further urged residents to report fire incidents promptly and provide emergency responders with accurate addresses to facilitate a quick response.
