TheCable

Fourteen persons in Tegina town in Rafi local government area of Niger state, lost their lives as a result of a fire caused by a petrol tanker, on Friday.

The tanker was conveying petrol from Lagos to Kaduna when the driver lost control and rammed his vehicle into some residential buildings in the town.

Eight houses were completely burnt in the tragic incident.

The fire claimed the lives of the people who were trapped in the buildings and others selling by the roadside.

A witness told NAN that the eight houses were completely burnt while property valued at millions of naira including vehicles were destroyed in the inferno.

The witness, who requested anonymity, said five persons who sustained injury were currently receiving treatment at Tegina General Hospital.

When contacted, Bala Elkana police public relations officer (PPRO) in the state,  confirmed the incident.

Elkana said the command would investigate the cause of the accident.