Fourteen persons in Tegina town in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state, on Friday, lost their lives as a result of a fire caused by a petrol tanker.
It was gathered that the tanker was conveying petrol from Lagos to Kaduna when the driver lost control and rammed his vehicle into some residential buildings in the town.
Eight houses were completely burnt in the fire that ensued.
The fire claimed the lives of the people who were trapped in the buildings and others selling by the roadside.
An eye witness said that the eight houses were completely burnt while properties valued at millions of naira including vehicles were destroyed in the inferno.
The eye witness, who requested anonymity, said that five persons who sustained injury were currently receiving treatment at Tegina General Hospital.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana confirmed the incident.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Zubairu Muazu, had visited the scene of the accident. Elkana said the command would investigate the cause of the accident.