The Edo State Police Command has confirmed that eight persons sustained varying degrees of burns on Thursday after a petrol tanker fell and later exploded at Oluku Market, along the Benin-Lagos Road, Edo State.
The incident occurred at about 7:30 am on Thursday, when the lone tanker fell near the busy market.
In a statement by the Edo State Police Command, personnel, including the DPO of the Ekiadolor Division, the Area Commander of Ekiadolor, and the Deputy Commissioners of Police in charge of Operations and Investigation, were deployed to the scene to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.
The Police said members of the public were evacuated while efforts were made to prevent scooping of petroleum products. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) emergency response team was also on the ground to transfer the product into another truck.
“Unfortunately, at about 11:50 hrs, a fire ignited and engulfed the truck, resulting in damage to parts of the market,” the statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Edo Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, said.
The eight injured persons were evacuated to the Emergency Ward of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where they are receiving treatment.
Properties destroyed in the inferno include two buses, an Audi saloon car, a truck, and parts of the Oluku market. The total value of losses is yet to be determined.
The Command has urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel, warning against scooping petroleum products from fallen tankers to avoid loss of life and property.
Goods and vehicles parked along the road were completely razed by the inferno that engulfed Oluku market and its environs.
Meanwhile, traders were seen wailing over their losses as their wares were consumed by the inferno. The Chairman of Ovia North East Local Government, Orobosa Eriamiatoe, and the Aiyobahan of Benin, Chief Osamede, visited the scene to assess the damage and sympathised with affected traders and residents.
Sympathisers gathered around the remains of burnt vehicles and stalls.
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