Many commuters were feared dead and eight vehicles burnt as a fuel-laden tanker fell and exploded at Ugwu- Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on Saturday.

The Director, Enugu State Fire Service, Okwudili Ohaa, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

Mr Ohaa told NAN that gallant fire fighting officers of the service extinguished the fire which lasted over an hour.

He said the number of casualties in the inferno were uncertain as the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and other security agencies are trying to evacuate the charred bodies of the victims.

He said that about eight vehicles were burnt and scores of road users, who scampered for safety, must have been injured in the incident.

“The suspected petroleum-ladened tanker fell and exploded into flames at about 11:30a.m. and the gallant firefighting officers from our 9th Mile Station immediately rushed to the scene; but got overwhelmed.

“I have to immediately send for re-enforcement from the Ogui Road and Government House Fire Stations that supported the 9th Mile team.

“It took the combined efforts of 10 experienced and gallant fire fighters to extinguish the fire before other paramilitary personnel came to evacuate corpses and rescue those injured to nearby hospitals,” he said.

The chief fire officer thanked members of the public for quickly alerting the state fire service about the incident.

However, eyewitnesses described the tanker blast as devastating as it destroyed nearby vehicles and caused widespread panic.

They said that initial rescue efforts were hindered by the intensity of the fire – intense dark and choking smoke; thus, making it difficult for bystanders to access the scene until the fire fighters put the raging inferno under control.

They also said that some victims and vehicles were burnt beyond recognition.

(NAN)