15 die, eight houses burnt in Niger tanker accident

A tanker loaded with petrol rammed into buildings in Tegina town, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State on Friday killing 15 people and leaving many others seriously injured.
The accident, which occurred on Friday morning, claimed the lives of those that were trapped in the eight houses that were burnt down, including people who were selling along the road.
It was gathered that the petrol tanker was conveying fuel from Lagos State to Kaduna State when at Tegina the driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into some residential buildings, resulting in an outbreak of fire.
Eight houses were completely burnt, while other properties valued at millions of naira, including vehicles, were destroyed, according to an eyewitness.
According to the eyewitness, there was pandemonium in the town.
But the intervention of some good Samaritans stopped the fire from spreading to other parts of the town.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, confirmed the story.
Elkana said the deceased were given mass burial in the town because they were burnt beyond recognition and the seriously injured have been hospitalised.
Elkana therefore advised those who could not see their loved ones to find out from the police station in Tegina.
The police spokesman also said that the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Zubairu Muazu, had visited the scene of the accident.
Muazu condoled with the relations of the deceased.
The Niger State Government had not reacted to the incident as at press time.