By: Titus Oise, Benin.

A fire outbreak erupted on Thursday evening at Oluku Market in Benin City, Edo State, as a petroleum tanker overturned near the market buildings leaving several people dead.

The Overturned fuel tanker reportedly lost control near the market buildings and residents rushed to the scene with jerry cans and containers to scoop the spilled fuel.

It was gathered that hours after the spill and fuel-scooping began, a fire outbreak erupted and spread through the market structures.

Official confirmation regarding the exact cause of inferno and casualties have not yet been ascertained, but credible sources informed this reporter that quite a number of persons died,while those with burns were rushed to nearby hospital for treatment.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), Edo State Command, Beford Preye Ezekiel, said the command cannot give the exact casualties at the time of filing this report.

According to him, some of the fire victims have been transferred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, at the Emergency Response Unit, the Management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has deployed immediate emergency services following the fuel tanker explosion.

The Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, was seen personally coordinating the response team at the accident, emergency, and burns units to treat severe casualties and prevent loss of life.

According to an eye witness, a resident of Oluku Community told this reporter that several goods and properties worth millions of Naira have been destroyed by the inferno.