Tragedy struck in Ibadan on Saturday evening when a petrol tanker fell at Molete under bridge, spilling its contents which instantly caught fire.

In the resulting inferno, many people, including a mother and two of her children, were said to have lost their lives.

Many others, who ran for cover inside their shops were also said to have been consumed by the fire, while many vehicles, motor bikes and some buildings in the area were destroyed.

The driver of the tanker was said to have been trapped in the fire.

Many other persons, especially commuters waiting to board cabs and buses at the Molete under bridge, also sustained varying degrees of burns.

Eyewitnesses said the tanker was coming from Challenge area.

Its driver, it was said, was complaining loudly about brake failure before the vehicle fell and spilled its contents.

The enormity of the destruction wrought by the fire could not be determined as of the time of filing this report. But it was said millions of Naira would have been lost in the unfortunate disaster.

Efforts were still being made by the Oyo State Fire Service to bring it under control as of the time the report was filed.

Oyo State Commissioner for Works was also at the scene of incident.