The Otedola Bridge fire left behind devastation, grief, and shattered livelihoods. Businesses, vehicles, and personal belongings were lost as flames engulfed the area.
The tragic incident began when a gas tanker overturned, triggering a massive inferno that claimed multiple lives and destroyed properties. Witnesses described the chaos, as people ran for safety while others were trapped in the blaze.
George Uchenna, a driver, barely made it out alive. He recalled how he and his assistant were lucky to escape.
“I was parked with my boy when the tanker fell. We saw the fire spreading and ran for our lives. Sadly, about ten bus drivers at the scene didn’t make it,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Not everyone was as fortunate. Baba Rotimi, a well-known mechanic, was caught in the fire. The fast-spreading flames, fueled by gas leakage, left him no chance to escape. His customer’s vehicle, parked in his workshop, was also consumed by the fire.
Businesses and Properties Destroyed
The Otedola Bridge fire did not only claim lives but also wiped out businesses and properties. The flames spread quickly, reducing shops, tricycles, and vehicles to ruins.
Paul Samuel, a member of RCCG Fulfillment Centre, shared that although their church building remained standing, its gate was damaged by the intense heat.
A mechanic, Tosin, revealed how an unrelated gas explosion from a food vendor’s stall worsened the situation, igniting four parked cars.
“The fire was already bad, but when the food vendor’s gas exploded, it spread even faster. There was nothing we could do but run,” he recounted.
Six tricycles, an entire shopping plaza, and several roadside stalls were destroyed. In the aftermath, scavengers arrived, searching through the charred remains for scrap metal.
Pain and Frustration at the Scene
While many mourned their losses, some expressed anger at those taking advantage of the disaster.
A passerby, overwhelmed by the sight, shared his frustration:
“People lost their lives and everything they worked for, yet some are here picking through the ruins to make money. It’s heartbreaking.”
Amid the destruction, a block industry near the scene remained untouched by the fire. A worker from the site, who preferred to stay anonymous, expressed his shock:
“When I got here this morning, I saw how bad things were. But our side was completely safe. It’s unbelievable.”
More Victims, More Stories of Loss
For many in the area, the Otedola Bridge fire was not just another tragic event—it was a life-altering disaster. Small business owners, traders, and transport workers who earned their daily bread in the area now face an uncertain future.
Several car owners returned to find nothing but burnt metal where they had once parked their vehicles. One trader who lost her entire stock to the fire broke down in tears, wondering how she would start over.
The fire left countless victims in financial ruin. Many of them had no insurance, and with their only source of income gone, they now struggle to rebuild their lives.
Could This Tragedy Have Been Prevented?
The Otedola Bridge fire has raised serious concerns about safety on Nigerian roads, especially when it comes to fuel tankers. Many residents and commuters believe that stricter regulations could have prevented the disaster.
Some questioned why tankers carrying flammable materials are allowed to travel through densely populated areas without proper safety measures. Others argued that emergency response teams need to be better equipped to handle such situations before they spiral out of control.
Government and Emergency Response
Authorities have since visited the site, assessing the level of destruction and promising to provide support for victims. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed casualties and injuries, assuring the public that investigations were underway.
A government official who spoke at the scene acknowledged the need for stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We cannot allow this kind of disaster to keep happening. There must be better monitoring of fuel tankers to avoid more loss of lives and property,” he stated.
Hope Amidst Tragedy
Despite the despair, some survivors remain hopeful. Many are counting on government intervention, while others rely on community support to rebuild. Donations and relief efforts have started trickling in, though they are not enough to cover the massive losses.
For now, those affected by the Otedola Bridge fire can only wait and hope for better days ahead.
