Two buses, an Audi car, a truck and market stalls were destroyed in the inferno along the Benin-Lagos Road, with the full value of losses yet to be determined.
Eight people sustained varying degrees of burns on Thursday after a petrol tanker fell and later exploded at Oluku Market along the Benin-Lagos Road in Edo State, the state police command has confirmed.
The incident occurred when the tanker fell near the busy market, prompting the deployment of police personnel to the scene to maintain law and order and protect residents and traders.
In a statement, the Edo State Police Command said the Divisional Police Officer of Ekiadolor Division, the Area Commander of Ekiadolor and Deputy Commissioners of Police in charge of Operations and Investigation were among those deployed.
The police said efforts were made to prevent people from scooping fuel from the fallen tanker, while the emergency response team of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) was on the ground to transfer the petroleum product into another truck.
However, at about 11:50 a.m., a fire broke out and engulfed the tanker, damaging parts of the market, according to the statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem.
The eight injured victims were evacuated to the Emergency Ward of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where they are receiving treatment.
The inferno destroyed two buses, an Audi saloon car, a truck and parts of Oluku Market. Goods and vehicles parked along the road were also reportedly burnt, while the total value of the losses remains undetermined.
Traders were seen lamenting as their goods and stalls were consumed by the fire, while sympathisers gathered around the remains of the burnt vehicles and market structures.
The Chairman of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Orobosa Eriamiatoe, and the Aiyobahan of Benin, Chief Osamede, visited the scene to assess the damage and sympathise with affected traders and residents.
The police urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel. The command also warned against scooping fuel from fallen tankers, stressing the risk of further fires, injuries and loss of lives and property.