By Evelyn Usma & Bose Adelaja

LAGOS—A gas station and 21 vehicles were, Sunday, burnt in a mechanic workshop at Coconut Bus Stop, Olodi Apapa area of Lagos, following an explosion from a 33,000-litre fuel-laden tanker at 8.15p.m.

Vanguard gathered that the tanker driver was negotiating a bend under the bridge at the bus stop, when the truck skidded off its lane and landed in the mechanic workshop, resulting in an explosion.

Motorists and commuters took to their heels, with many abandoning their vehicles. Private cars and commercial buses, which were undergoing repairs, at the workshop, were affected.

One of them, a Sports Utility Vehicle, was said to have been bought the previous day, Saturday, and taken to the workshop for rewiring.

One of the spokespersons for the Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Amodu Shekiru, said no casualty was recorded, adding that it took fire service men three hours to put out the fire.

He said: “Driver of the fuel-laden tanker lost control while negotiating a bend and spilled its contents, thereby resulting in a fire, which affected 21 different vehicles in a mechanic workshop and a 10-foot container used as gas refilling shop.

“We prevented the fire from spreading to other vehicles in the workshop and adjoining structures. Sari-Iganmu, Isolo and Ilupeju fire stations were involved in the operation.”