Motorcyclists burnt to death in Lagos fire

There was panic in the Mile 12 area of Lagos on Wednesday after fire erupted from a passenger’s keg and burnt two motorcyclists to death.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the fire, which started at about 7.30pm, also razed about eight motorcycles in the area.

It was gathered that the victims, identified only as Musa and Sanni, were among several others affected by the inferno at Agilinti bus stop, Mile 12.

Our correspondent learnt that a woman, who boarded a motorcycle, had a keg of fuel with her, which was kept inside a nylon, but the keg reportedly leaked.

The motorcycle was said to have arrived at the Agilinti bus stop, where some traders had lit their lamps.

Fire from one of the lamps was said to have leaped unto the fuel-soaked nylon, leading to a fire outbreak.

PUNCH Metro gathered that no fewer than eight motorcycles at the bus stop were consumed. About five motorcyclists were also said to have been injured, and were taken to hospitals in the area.

Musa and Sanni were said to have died in one of the hospitals.

When our correspondent visited the area on Thursday, one of the motorcyclists, identified simply as Kolawole, said some firefighters later showed up to put out the fire.

He said, “It was at about 8pm. I was at the bus stop. As soon as the motorcycle brought the woman, the fire started. The woman had a keg of fuel in a nylon, which she was taking home. But the keg was leaking, and the nylon was soaked.

“Some traders at the bus stop had lit their local lamps; and as the motorcycle wanted to turn round the junction, the fire started. Two motorcyclists were badly burnt, and they have died in a hospital.

“About eight other motorcycles were razed by the fire. Some firefighters later came to put out the fire. Those injured have also been rushed to some hospitals where they are being treated.”

A motorist, identified only as Leke, said there was commotion in the area, as shop owners and passersby tried in vain to put out the fire.

He said, “I brought my vehicle to a filling station in the area to buy fuel. There were lots of motorcycles at the bus stop. Suddenly, there was an outburst of fire, and the smoke covered everyone.

“I initially thought it was a tanker fire, as everyone ran helter-skelter. Traders and passersby tried to put out the fire, but it had destroyed about eight motorcycles.”

The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Dr. Rasak Fadipe, confirmed the incident, adding that men of the Ilupeju Fire Station attended to it.

He said, “The fire servicemen from Ilupeju were there. But we do not have a record of any death.

“Seven motorcycles were burnt, and one person was also injured.”

Efforts by our correspondent to see the injured persons were unsuccessful as no one knew the hospitals they were taken to.

Our correspondent gathered that the corpses of the deceased had been deposited in a morgue in the area.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia Amadin, had yet to reply to a text message sent to her phone as of press time.

PUNCH.