Oil tanker explosion in Nigeria's commercial hub burns 20 vehicles

ABUJA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A tanker laden with petrol fell and spilled its content on a busy bridge in Nigeria's economic hub Lagos on Wednesday, causing a huge fire that burnt down at least 20 vehicles and four motorcycles.

It remains unclear whether the inferno, which raged on for more than an hour before the arrival of firefighters, has caused any casualties, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

A witness, Olufemi Popoola, said the oil tanker was ascending the bridge in FESTAC Town of Lagos, but suddenly rolled back and fell.

The impact of the fall separated the tank from the body, resulting in an explosion, Popoola said.

Some residents and passers-by made efforts to douse the fire with buckets of water to no avail, as the fire from the tanker spilled over to nearby vehicles, forcing their occupants to run, abandoning them.

"The fire then spilled into a car shop at the foot of the bridge, burning some of the cars, while the attendants quickly drove out some," the witness said. "Furniture items, bags and boxes displayed for sale at the foot of the bridge were all burned."

The fire also caused traffic gridlock on the bridge and in the adjoining roads. Enditem