Residents of Ikeja Along in Lagos State were thrown into panic late Wednesday night after a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, overturned and burst into flames.
The incident occurred on February 11, 2026, when the tanker reportedly lost control and fell on its side, spilling fuel across the road before igniting moments later.
Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly around the fallen tanker, sending residents and motorists scrambling for safety.
“It happened so fast. We just saw the tanker fall and within minutes there was fire everywhere. People started running,” a resident of the area recounted.
Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to prevent the inferno from escalating. Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), alongside other rescue agencies, cordoned off the area and diverted traffic to ensure public safety.
A LASTMA official at the scene said, “Our priority was to secure the area, divert motorists and support the emergency teams in containing the fire. We acted promptly to prevent casualties.”
Motorists were redirected to alternative routes as firefighters battled to contain the blaze and avert further damage.
Two Killed in Separate Bus Fire
In a related development, tragedy struck along the Okota–Isolo corridor of Lagos on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, when a commercial minibus caught fire, leaving two people dead and eight others injured.
The vehicle, a yellow commercial bus popularly known as Faka, with registration number SMK 823 YK, was reportedly heading inward Ballet toward Mile 2 in the Okota area when the crash occurred.
According to information released by LASTMA, the accident led to a fire outbreak that engulfed the bus.
“The vehicle was en route Mile 2 when the incident happened. Emergency responders were immediately contacted, and the injured victims were taken for medical attention,” the agency stated.
The eight injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals, while authorities commenced investigations into the cause of both incidents.
The back-to-back fire outbreaks have heightened concerns over road safety and the transportation of flammable products within the state.
