At least, one person was reportedly killed as a vehicle conveying a gallon of suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) burst into flames when the driver allegedly lit a cigarette while the car was in motion.
The incident, which caused pandemonium along the popular Airport Road opposite the Bendel Estate Junction in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, occurred around 8.50pm on Monday.
It was gathered that an unidentified woman escaped death during the incident, which saw the deceased burnt beyond recognition.
It was learnt that the unidentified man had just lit a cigarette when the car went up in flames as a result of the fuel the female occupant kept in the car.
It was gathered that while the woman was able to escape unhurt, the deceased, who was the driver of the Nissan Primera car, was unlucky as he was trapped and burnt to death.
As a result of the explosion, the car veered off the road, hit an electric pole and burnt the man beyond recognition.
A police source said, “Eyewitnesses told us when we got here that the vehicle burst into flames when the deceased driver lit a cigarette despite being aware that a gallon of fuel was kept inside the car. Before we got here, the deceased had been burnt beyond recognition.
“The unfortunate thing is that the entire car was burnt; so, we could not identify the victim. We also did not meet the only survivor, whom sympathisers claimed went to buy the fuel.
“We have already deposited the remains of the victim in a mortuary pending when investigation will be concluded.”
It was learnt that the deceased, who was heading home, had seen the woman, whom sources claimed was the wife of his friend and decided to convey her to her destination.
They were on their way when the car was gutted by fire after the man decided to light his cigarette.
It was gathered that before help could come, the entire car had been completely burnt.