By Cajetan Mmuta
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano on Monday ordered the sealing off and taken possession of two petrol stations, Chris Tee and Silver Filling Stations which were gutted by fire on Sunday night.
This is as 15 vehicles and several buildings were burnt when the two petrol stations caught fire which spread to an explosion of gas stations within residential areas of densely populated Boromeo along Onitsha–Enugu expressway in the commercial town of Onitsha.
Also burnt was a mechanic workshop near one of the petrol stations.
Buildings located in the two burnt stations were not left out in the inferno.
Following the intensity of the evening fire, residents fled their homes to avert the loss of lives.
Residents reportedly fled their homes in anticipation of the fire spreading to their streets, while vehicular movements along Awka road, Onitsha/Enugu express, and Old road Nkpor were disrupted for many hours.
The incident occurred at about 7.30 pm with loud explosions which threw many residents of Omagba phase one into a panic.
However, Governor Obiano gave the order when he visited the scene to sympathize with the victims and residents of the area.
He also directed law enforcement agencies to close down fuel stations in the state where gas skits are cited.
He explained that he got intelligence reports that the fire was ignited when the dealers were in the process of offloading and discharging cooking gas.
He commended officials of the State Fire Service and other security agencies for their quick response and timely intervention which saved some of the properties near the vicinity.
The governor warned dealers of inflammable petroleum products to desist from building gas stations near their premises.
The director of State Fire, Mr Martin Agbili said that four fire trucks were deployed on receipt of the distress call, pointing out that due to the combustible nature of the product, the fire was difficult to contain but was eventually extinguished.
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Our four (4) fire trucks and Firefighters are there fighting the fire,” he said.
Also, the member representing Onitsha Constituency 2 at the State House of Assembly, Mr. Eddy Ibuzo noted that laws were made for the people and should strictly be adhered to.
On his part, chairman of the Transition Committee for Onitsha North, Mr. Patrick Ayamba thanked the state government for equipping the state fire service to combat fire emergencies.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Petroleum matters, Mr Peter Nwosu, and other heads of security agencies, were at the scene of the disaster.
Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Adeoye Irelewuyi, urged members of the public to be calm and patient, while the Fire Service battle the Fire and prevent its escalation.
Adeoye said, “At about 19:30hours today 12 December 2021, a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) exploded at Chris-Tee filling station near Boromio roundabout, Onitsha.”
“Men of the Fire Service and FRSC Rescue Team are on the ground working very hard to curtail the inferno.
Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off and traffic diverted. However, the total damages and casualties are yet to be ascertained, as the fire is still burning.”
