NNPC Tanker explodes while discharging fuel

A petrol tanker belonging to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with 45,000 litres of petrol, caught fire on Tuesday while discharging the product at a filling station along Abdulsalami Abukakar Way, Apo, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was no loss of life but the tanker was completely burnt down, while the filling station was partly affected.

Mr Jeremiah Abimaje, Branch Manager, NNPC Mega Station, said that the cause of the fire was unknown.

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

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

An eye witness, Mr Monday Osadolor, said that 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.

Mr Jaji Abdulganiyu, Operations Commander, Federal Fire Service,who led his men to the scene, said the service was committed to put fire out-breaks under control in the FCT.

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

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