A bullion van loaded with an unspecified amount of money went up in flames on Tuesday under the Ojota bridge, Lagos.
According to Vanguard, the van which did not have a fire extinguisher was driving towards toll gate, apparently to disburse the money in some banks when the unexpected happened.
The exact cause of the fire which occurred at about 2.30pm could not be immediately ascertained.
However, an eye witness, Mrs Moji Maitani, told newsmen:
“I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME VEERED TO ANOTHER LANE. I QUICKLY APPLIED THE BREAK TO AVOID WHAT THE MOTORIST ATTEMPTED TO DODGE, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT A VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE.
“ON FURTHER OBSERVATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED TO BE A BULLION VAN. ITS OCCUPANTS RUSHED OUT AND WERE FLAGGING OTHER MOTORISTS TO DEMAND FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHER. BUT I COULD NOT STOP, IN ORDER NOT TO BE TRAPPED IN ANY DISASTER.”
Another eye witness, who asked not be named, said that the money stocked inside the van was completely burnt as the escorts could not go near the van, owing to the flames.
Managing Director, Lagos State Emergency Management Emergency, LASEMA, Mr. Tiamiyu Adesina, who confirmed the incident, said officials of Lagos State Fire Service arrived the scene to put out the fire.
