13 vehicles burnt in Edo Boxing Day tragedy

by: Osagie Otabor

Residents of Murtala Muhammed Way, near Esigie junction in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday ran for their dear lives when a tanker, laden with petroluem products went up in flames.
The tanker allegedly fell into a dish and spilled its content along the slope which later went into flames.
Some said they heard a loud explosion before the fire erupted.
Thirteen vehicles and four motor-cycles were burnt.
The road where the fuel flowed through was in flames.
Some residents fled their homes. Others packed out their properties.
The number of casualties could not be confirmed as of press time but the charred remains of a man identified as a commercial motorcyclist was lying on the road.
A boy who was seen crying, said the dead victim was his uncle.
A member of the Edo State Fire Service who was putting out the fire, said there were some bodies in the gutter.
He said they were informed at about 7pm.
TheNation