A loaded petroleum tanker suddenly went up in flames at Ajia junction, Ibadan-Ife Road, Ibadan on Saturday. luckily, scores of commuters escaped death by the whiskers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the driver of the tanker was attempting to divert to another lane when it caught fire at about 4.45 p.m.

Four vehicles and several houses were burnt as petrol-loaded trucks caught fire along the Ibadan-Ife road.

The incident occurred at the Ajia Circular Road end in Egbeda Local Government Area, causing a traffic gridlock leading to motorists and commuters being stranded for several hours.

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Four vehicles were affected, including a petrol-loaded truck, an 18-passenger bus, a mid-sized truck, and a Micra taxi.

According to the General Manager of the State Fire Services, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, the fire which started at approximately 5:45 pm damaged property and displacing several families.

A witness, Biodun Ayoola, told NAN that all the occupants of the affected vehicles and cycles hurriedly took to their heels sighting the petrol tanker on fire.

According to Ayoola, the ongoing construction of a pedestrian bridge at Ajia junction made the contractor to block one lane, diverting vehicles to the other lane.

“The petrol tanker caught fire while trying to link the other lane and exploded but we thank God that all the occupants of the affected vehicles and motorcycles escaped from the scene before the explosion,” he said.

NAN reports that Mr Mayowa Odewo, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Oyo State, confirmed the incident.

Odewo said officers of the command in Egbeda axis were still at the scene, and that a statement would be issued immediately after completing the operations.