By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Enugu State Fire Service has confirmed a fuel-laden tanker accident and subsequent explosion at the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
The state’s Chief Fire Officer, Engr Okwudili Ohaa, who gave the confirmation on Wednesday in Enugu, noted that “no life was lost in the incident.”
Ohaa, who is also Director of Enugu State Fire Service, noted that the incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday before Fire Service personnel rushed to the scene to extinguish the raging inferno and then brought it under control.
According to him, “we were able to extinguish the fire after sometime and thereby rescued the entire vegetation and nearby Iva Valley community.
“Today, normal traffic flow has returned in that axis of the expressway.”
He revealed that the driver of the tanker and his “motor boy”, who sustained injuries, were immediately taken to a nearby hospital by officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Ohaa noted that it was a lone accident involving only the tanker, recalling that the tanker lost control and plunged into a valley at the Ugwu-Onyeama axis before it burst into huge flames.
Efforts made to get the FRSC suthorities to officially give account of the incident proved abortive, as of press time.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Ohaa.
