A fire has razed parts of Oluku Market in Benin City, Edo State, hours after a petroleum tanker overturned near market buildings, with residents reportedly scooping fuel from the fallen vehicle.
The incident occurred after the tanker accident, which drew residents to the scene to collect spilled petroleum before the fire broke out.
The blaze subsequently spread to parts of the market, damaging property and raising concerns over the safety of traders and residents in the area.
The incident highlights the risks associated with fuel scooping at tanker accident scenes, where spilled petrol can ignite and trigger fires capable of spreading to nearby buildings and businesses.
Petroleum products are highly flammable, and leaked fuel can create a serious fire hazard when exposed to an ignition source. Safety officials routinely advise members of the public to stay away from such accident scenes and allow emergency responders to secure the area.
The destruction at Oluku Market could affect traders whose businesses and goods were exposed to the fire, although the full extent of the damage has yet to be established.
Details of possible casualties, the value of property destroyed and the precise cause of the fire were not confirmed in the available report.
Residents have been advised to avoid approaching fallen fuel tankers or attempting to collect spilled petroleum because of the risk of fire and explosions.
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