A fire disaster was averted in Ibadan, Oyo State, when a petroleum tanker carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) fell along Ibadan-Iwo road, Ibadan, yesterday morning.
It was learnt that the vehicle was trying to climb a steep road at Olodo in the outskirt of the state capital when it lost its brakes and back-tracked down hill again.
As a result, the driver of the vehicle lost control and the tanker fell while the product poured out.
Men of the Oyo State Police Command and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were immediately drafted to the scene to avert fire outbreak.
Some of the residents were seen scooping fuel, while security operatives were trying to keep them away from danger.
Commercial activities in the area were also paralysed as owners of businesses refused to open to customers while those who had opened earlier hurriedly closed shop.
Though the driver of the vehicle was not seen at the scene, his assistant, Raimi Adegboyega attributed the accident to brake failure.
According to him, the driver tried his best to avert the accident which could have led to fire disaster.
The director of the state fire service, Mr Musibau Olapade, who confirmed the incident, said measures had been put in place to avert fire disaster.
He said officials of the service arrived at the scene immediately after the incident and stopped residents from scooping the fuel.