Scores of commuters escaped death on Saturday when a loaded petroleum tanker suddenly went up in flames at Ajia junction, Ibadan-Ife Road, Ibadan.

The tanker driver was attempting to divert to another lane when it caught fire at about 4:45 p.m.

The incident left a mini truck, one commuter bus, a Micra car, one tricycle and two motorcycles burnt.

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

According to Mr Ayoola, the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Ajia junction caused the contractor to block one lane and divert vehicles to the other.

“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.

Mayowa Odewo, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) public relations officer in Oyo State, confirmed the incident.

Mr Odewo said officers of the command on the Egbeda axis were still at the scene and that a statement would be issued immediately after the operations were completed.

(NAN)