The incident was reported to have occurred around 13:17hrs at a petrol station at Idi Oro, in the Mushin area of Lagos on Wednesday.

The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Adeseye Margaret made this known in a statement, stating that fire service e is attending to the incident.

She said this “saw the Agency mobilising other emergency responders of the State to put up concerted efforts in combatting the inferno.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that it is a 33,000 Tanker that is fully laden with Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as Petrol is on Fire.

“Although the cause of the disaster is yet to be ascertained, Officials of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service remain on top of the situation and will provide necessary updates as situation demands.

“Motorists are advised to seek alternative route away from the Idi Oro Corridor of Agege Motor Road, Mushin.”

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the Corps, Mr Ahmed Umar, who is the FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun, said that five vehicles and two motorcycles also got burnt during the incident.

He, however said the cause of the explosion is still unknown, adding that several investigation are ongoing to ascertain the cause.

“The cause of the accident is still under investigation, we have to conduct a thorough investigation.

“It was an accident involving a tanker loaded with premium motor spirit. It fell and caught fire, affecting other vehicles.

“Our men are there with the fire service to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further,’’ Umar said.

Mr Femi Ogunbanwo, the Commissioner for Special Duties, who was at the scene of the incident, said the government would wait for reports from relevant agencies before responding appropriately.

Ogunbanwo assured that the government would foot the bill of those injured, adding that, “the governor is aware of the incident.’’

An eyewitness told NAN that the incident occurred about 8.00 am.

The eyewitness explained that the tanker which was coming from the Kuto flyover lost control, while descending and fell, spilling its content and catching fire.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday,  signed by the state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde.

According to him, vehicular movement was restricted from the bridge in order for the government to conduct structural engineering tests on the bridge.

Oladeinde, however, started that alternative routes had been created for motorists pending the outcome of the tests and the reopening of the bridge to traffic.

Disclosing the alternative routes, Oledeinde said motorists from Mile 2 to Cele on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway will make use of Aiye and Osolo Way to Asa Afariogun through 7&8 to access International Airport Road.

While motorists from Toyota would use the service lanes by Armed Forces Resettlement Centre to BOC Gases on old NAFDAC Headquarters.

He added that, “In the light of this development, the state traffic management officials shall be deployed to the aforementioned corridors to control and manage traffic flow along the axis during the course of the diversions.

“The Lagos State Government is assuring the motoring public that the Airport Bridge shall be opened for use as soon as the tests or requisite intervention makes it safe and secure to do so.”