Tragedy averted as NNPC tanker bursts into flames

A petrol tanker belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) caught fire while discharging fuel at a filling station along Abdulsalami Abukakar Way, Apo, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Though no life was lost, the tanker with 45,000 litres of petrol got completely burnt and the station was partly affected.

Jeremiah Abimaje, branch manager of the station, said the cause of the fire was unknown.

“No one can really say what actually caused the fire outbreak; the tanker came with the product and was off-loading its product when it suddenly caught fire,” he said.

He said the prompt arrival of men of the fire service prevented the fire from engulfing the filling station and other properties in the neighborhood.

Monday Osadolor, a witness, said men of the fire service were able to contain the fire because the station was not selling fuel when the incident occurred.

“If it was a normal day when there are many cars around this road, many people would have lost their lives,” he said.

Jaji Abdulganiyu, operations commander, Federal Fire Service, who led his men to the scene, said the service was committed to putting fire outbreaks in the FCT under control.

“Our officers will always respond promptly whenever they are called upon for emergency situations like this,” he said.

He advised Nigerians that necessary precautionary measures should be put in place at all times to prevent both domestic and industry fire disasters.