Cigarette Stub Ignited Blazing Inferno Of Fuel Tanker

Lagos State Government revealed how a cigarette stub from a yet to be apprehended smoker ignited the fallen fuel tanker that spilled its contents in in Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos.

The tanker laden with 33, litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, which exploded after spilling its contents on the road at about 2 am last Saturday, razed over five cars and buildings built along the canal.

The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental relations, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo and his Information and Strategy counterpart, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni. who was represented by Chief Superintendent of Police, Waidi Ayilara and other agencies, disclosed this at a joint media briefing to address various issues concerning safety and protection of citizenry during and after the Yuletide period.

Oladejo lamented that the danger of indiscriminate dropping of cigarette stubs or fireworks, especially at this period poses a great challenge and could lead to fire outbreaks.

He said, “An example of this threat was the recent Ojuelegba tanker accident, where someone reportedly dropped the left-over of a cigarette into a canal where the spilled content spread to which ignited the fire. This was immediately combated by the State fire service and other responders.”

Oladejo, said law enforcement agencies have commenced operations to apprehend the suspect for prosecution, according to the state laws. He said that worried by the inherent danger of indiscriminate dumping of cigarette stubs across the state, government would not hesitate to enforce the existing law banning public smoking. Oladejo, therefore, warned residents not to test the will of the state government, noting that violating laws is not acceptable.

“The anti-smoking law 2014, volume 47, carries a fine of N10, 000 to N15, 000 or a month to three months imprisonment as deemed by the court. While the owners/occupiers of the smoking areas shall be liable to a fine of N100, 000 or six months as deemed by the judge. Smoking in non-designated areas violates this law,” he reaffirmed.

Oladejo, said government was concerned about the menace which petrol tankers and other articulated vehicles have become on Lagos roads, as well as the incessant fire incidents and needless road traffic and accidents which have led to loss of lives and properties. Therefore, he said the state government has put adequate measures in place to ensure that residents go about their activities with much ease during the festive period including total enforcement of the traffic and safety laws.