Over 20 people, including three children and adults, got burnt in a petrol tanker explosion in Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo local government area of Ondo State on Sunday evening.
Newsonspot gathered that residents were scooping fuel after a petrol tanker fell and spilled its contents after the driver of the tanker lost control.
The incident which occurred along Showboy road, opposite Optima filling station in Ore, was ignited by a spark from a phone of a person scooping fuel spilled from the tank.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that they were inside the church when the tanker fell and spilled its contents on the road, said many persons who rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the tanker were warned by the pastor of the church.
The source said, “We were inside the church when we heard that tanker fell. The rain was also falling. People were taking fuel when the fire started after a spark from a phone.
“Three children died and we have counted over 15 bodies. A pregnant woman who wanted to buy the fuel also died. The money is still with her.”
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, disclosed that those who lost their lives were fuel scoopers.
She said, ”They were scooping fuel from a tanker when the fire started. We have commenced an investigation into the matter.”
