By Muhammad Mamman
Prompt intervention by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service prevented a major disaster on Tuesday after a diesel-laden tanker overturned on a busy bridge in the state.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours, caused temporary disruption to traffic as emergency responders raced to contain the situation and avert a potential fire outbreak. The tanker, reportedly conveying a large volume of diesel, lost control and fell on its side while navigating the bridge.
Eyewitnesses said the accident triggered panic among motorists, with fears of an explosion prompting many to abandon the area. Fire service officials arrived swiftly at the scene, cordoning off the affected section of the bridge and applying safety measures to prevent ignition and spillage escalation.
According to the fire service, the diesel was carefully contained, while cooling operations were carried out to eliminate any risk of combustion. Other emergency agencies, including traffic management officials and security personnel, were also deployed to manage traffic and ensure public safety.
No casualties were reported, although the accident led to significant traffic congestion for several hours. The overturned tanker was later removed, allowing the gradual restoration of normal vehicular movement.
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution, particularly on bridges and highways, and reiterated the need for strict adherence to safety standards by operators of heavy-duty vehicles to prevent similar incidents in the future.
