About 20 persons including three children and a pregnant woman were burnt to death after a tanker exploded at Ore, Odigbo Local government area of Ondo State, over the weekend.
The fire was said to have been ignited by a spark from a phone held by one of the persons scooping fuel that spilled from the tanker. The expectant mother was said to have brought N100,000 to buy fuel from the fallen tanker.
An eyewitness who gave his name as Cyriacus said they were inside the church when the tanker fell and spilled its contents on the road.
Cyriacus said some persons rushed to scoop fuel despite being warned by their clergy.
“We were inside the church when we heard that tanker fell. The rain was also falling. People were taking fuel when the fire started after a spark from a phone. “Three children died and we have counted over 15 bodies. A pregnant woman that wanted to buy the fuel also died. The money is still with her.”
Ondo Police spokesman, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said a probe had been launched.
