A major disaster was averted on Monday after a petrol tanker carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned and caught fire at NICO Farm, along the Iseyin/Oyo Road in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to eyewitnesses, the tanker, bearing registration number LM62XP (Lagos), lost control while in motion, somersaulted into a roadside ditch, and ignited a fire.
Confirming the incident, the Oyo State Fire Service Chairman, Maroof Akinwande, said the emergency was reported to the agency at exactly 10:46 a.m. Responding promptly, firefighters led by PFS1 Azeez were dispatched to the scene.
“Upon arrival, our team found a petrol tanker fully loaded with 45,000 litres of PMS, which had somersaulted and caught fire. The firemen immediately swung into action, applying chemical foam compounds to suppress the flames,” Akinwande stated.
He explained that the swift intervention prevented a potential explosion and ensured the fire did not spread to nearby structures, vehicles, or farmlands. The operation was successfully concluded without casualties, and normal vehicular movement was restored on the road shortly after.
The state fire service commended motorists and residents for their cooperation during the operation and reiterated its commitment to rapid emergency response and public safety.
