The popular Moniya market in Akinyele Local Government in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital was on fire.
The fire incident reportedly started over thirty minutes ago after a petrol tanker fell.
Men of the fire service have not arrived the scene of the accident as at the time of this report.
Shops and other valuables have been reportedly destroyed in the fire incident.
It was however reported two people were feared dead in the fire incident caused by fuel-laden tanker which also left many shops and vehicles razed.
The incident, which occurred around 3:00 pm, threw traders, commuters and residents of the area into confusion as the fire raged for minutes before fire fighters arrived. They were still trying to put out the fire while shop and vehicle owners counted their losses.
According to reports, the diesel-laden tanker skidded off the road and crushed a vehicle. An eyewitness, Damola Odunayo, recalled that on hitting the vehicle, there was a loud bang after which the fire started. He said the fire then raged into shops and other vehicles which made people run for their lives while property owners cried for help.
The Chief Fire Officer, Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Moshood Adewuyi, said his men arrived at the scene in good time, considering the distance they needed to cover to get to the spot.
His words: “The fire started when a fully laden tanker conveying diesel lost control while descending the slope beside a filling station at Moniya. There was brake failure and the vehicle crushed a vehicle going to Ogbomoso.
“One passenger, who was trapped in the vehicle got burnt. One other life was lost but we are yet to determine the number of casualties in the incidence.”
