The AP petrol station at Life Camp, Abuja was completely destroyed by fire on Saturday when a tanker that was discharging Premium Motor Spirit caught fire and exploded.
The loud blast from the tanker spread fear around the area as residents fled in panic thinking it was a bomb blast.
No life was lost in the incident that triggered a city-wide panic and speculations that another bomb had exploded.
It took the combined efforts of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and firemen from Julius Berger Construction Company to put out the inferno which consumed everything 0n the premises including a car, the fuel pumps and the building.
None of the workers were available to explain the cause of the fire as they all fled when the tanker exploded, but an eye-witness who did not give his name said a spark from the tanker ignited the fire which destroyed everything on the premises.
Mr. John Ighedosa of the Federal Fire Service stated that he was at the Eagle Square when he received distress calls that the station was on fire and he immediately mobilised his men and other water tenders from the FCT and Julius Berger Fire Services.
“It was a big blaze and it took the combined efforts of water tenders from the three fire services to bring it under control. We have not been able to locate any of the workers because they all ran away after the explosion, so we cannot say what triggered the fire,” he said.
The Divisional Crime Officer, Life Camp Police Station, Mrs. Ngozi Ubani, stated that she did not know the cause of the inferno, adding that she would have to conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
The incident attracted a huge crowd of onlookers and policemen had a hectic time controlling the spectators who surged here and there to get a good view of the smouldering tanker and building.
SOURCE: Punch
