By Emmanuel Elebeke & Ifeoma Ekeke
LAGOS – No fewer than 16 fuel trucks were burnt yesterday in a fire incident that occurred at the truck park along Orile-Ijora Road, Lagos.

According to eye witnesses, the incident started at about 2 p.m., but no life was lost in the inferno. At press time, the cause of the inferno was yet to be ascertained.

Eye witness account had it that the incident started from a spark from one of the fuel-laden trucks and spread to others.

Addressing newsmen on the incident, Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Ajose Adedayo, who was on hand to ascertain the extent of damage, said no life was lost as his men were on hand to bring the situation under control.

He blamed the incident on ignorance, as according to him, the fire outbreak was caused by a driver’s carelessness.

He said the park was not meant for loading of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol, but for parking of empty trucks, saying the whole park would have been gutted by fire but for the quick response of the fire servicemen.

He warned against further loading of PMS in the park and called on the government to ensure full implementation of the existing laws guiding the activities of tanker drivers in the state.

He also assured the readiness of his administration to work with other government agencies to forestall future occurrence by creating awareness and enlightenment campaign, noting that henceforth, any driver found guilty of disobeying the laws would be punished to serve as deterrent to others.