At least two persons have died and several properties destroyed following a collision between a gas tanker and a tipper truck that triggered a massive explosion along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday by its Controller General, Margaret Adeseye, noting that the accident occurred at about 02:36 in the early hours of the day.
According to the agency, emergency responders from Lekki Phase II, Oniru, and Epe II fire stations were swiftly deployed after reports indicated that a speeding 20-tonne tipper truck from the Epe axis rammed into a stationary 30-tonne gas truck that had failed to pull off the highway.
The collision led to a fire outbreak, which spread rapidly to nearby structures, affecting three warehouses and about 10 roadside shops, including a gym and a generator house, before firefighters brought the blaze under control.
A nearby Total Petrol Filling Station, along with a 33,000-litre PMS tanker and other surrounding properties, was successfully protected from the inferno.
The Fire Service said the driver of the tipper truck and his assistant were recovered dead, both burnt beyond recognition, while the driver of the gas tanker escaped unhurt.
Several vehicles within the affected premises were also impacted, including three Sienna buses, a Toyota Corolla, and a forklift.
Authorities said evacuation of the wreckage is ongoing, while normalcy has since been restored to the area.
