No fewer than seven persons have been confirmed dead as a commercial bus was gutted by fire at Iyana-Oworo in the Gbagada area of Lagos State.

This was disclosed via a statement issued on Sunday by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu.

Oke-Osanyitolu stated that the incident occurred on Sunday due to recklessness and over speeding by the driver of the bus.

He noted that four females, two male adults, and one male child were burnt to death in the incident, while the driver escaped with some burns.

The LASEMA boss stated: “Upon arrival at the scene, a commercial bus of 14 passenger Mazda with registration number KJA 699 GY was discovered to have been gutted with fire.

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“Further investigation gathered at the scene revealed that the incident occurred due to recklessness and over speeding by the driver which resulted in the fire with 12 passengers trapped.

“Fortunately, the driver escaped with some burns, 3 female adults were rescued and rushed to Gbagada General Hospital while a male adult was attended to by LASAMBUS at the scene.

“Unfortunately 7 victims were burnt to death (4 female, 2 male adults and 1 male child) in the bus.

“All the remains have been bagged by the Agency’s LRT Paramedics, LASAMBUS official and handed over to SEHMU.”

Oke-Osanyitolu said arrangements have been made by LASTMA official at the scene for removal of the burnt vehicle from the road, adding that the LRT alongside LRU Paramedics LASTMA, LASAMBUS, SHEMU, and NPF were responders at the scene of the incident.

“Road is partially opened for vehicular activities,” he said.

The Star