BREAKING: 'Six' Dead, Vehicles Razed As Tanker Explodes In Akure

The location of the accident is a short distance from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega filling station in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

A fire is raging at Onyarugbulem junction by Akure-Owo-Benin expressway in Ondo, after a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of inflammable liquid exploded.

The accident, which happened on Wednesday, was caused after the tanker swerved off the road and emptied its content.

Although tolasblog could not immediately confirm the number of casualties, eyewitnesses said six people died in the inferno.

Our correspondent, who was at the scene, also learnt that at least five vehicles were caught in the fire.

Eyewitnesses blamed the accident on the impatience of the tanker driver.

One of them said: "The fire incident was caused by an articulated petrol tanker coming from the Lagos road, which lost control. Many people driving from the other side of the junction were all trapped as the petrol tanker immediately went up in flames. 

"Although, we don't know the figure of those involved, but I am very sure that the occupants of a Toyota car that hit the petrol tanker have been burnt to ashes.”

More to follow...