A major disaster was averted in Lagos after a truck carrying 33,000 litres of highly flammable ethanol fell while negotiating a turn on the Second Rainbow Bridge in the Amuwo Odofin area.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, on Wednesday, saying no casualties were recorded.
The truck, a FOTON vehicle with registration number APP 346 YC, reportedly fell after its turntable detached while the driver was negotiating a turn on the bridge.
Preliminary investigations attributed the incident to speeding, which caused the vehicle’s turntable to detach and fall onto the roundabout, obstructing the entire stretch.
Given the highly flammable nature of ethanol and the risk of fire or explosion, LASEMA’s Eagle Response Team and other emergency responders swiftly cordoned off the area and introduced crowd and traffic control measures.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Fire Service also applied chemical foam to the truck and surrounding area to suppress fumes and minimise the risk of a secondary incident.
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority supported the operation by securing the scene and managing traffic.
Oke-Osanyintolu said the coordinated response prevented a potential disaster, with no deaths or injuries reported.
