Breaking! Onitsha on Fire Again, Filling Stations, Others Affected

By Izunna Okafor

A horrible fire outbreak, on Sunday, hit the ever-busy commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State.

The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra State Command, CC Adeoye Irelewuyi disclosed this in a statement to newsmen in Awka.

The statement reads: “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 ground working very hard to curtail the inferno.

“The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra State, Corps Commander Adeoye A Irelewuyi implore the public to be calm and patient, while the Fire Service battles the Fire and prevent its escalation.

“Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off and traffic diverted.

“According to eyewitness report, the fire started at CHRISTEE Gas plant and spread over to the two other near by Fuelling Stations (CHRISTEE and SILVER Fuelling Stations). The fire is still ongoing but the Fire Service is on top of the situation working assiduously to put off the fire.

“However, the total damages and casualties are yet to be ascertained, as the fire is still burning.”

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu has also confirmed the incident, and explained that preliminary investigation reveals that the truck loaded with petroleum product caught up with fire inside the fuel station while awaiting to discharge the product.

He said, “The Police Operatives attached to inland town divisional headquarters, Onitsha at about 9pm today 12/12/21, on receipt of a distress call of fire incident at sliver fuel station by Enugu-Onitsha, cordoned off the scene of the incident to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage to loot and prevent casualties. The Police and Fire fighters are in synergy now to put off the fire. 

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the truck loaded with petroleum product caught up with fire inside the fuel station while awaiting to discharge the product. “The cause of the fire and the level of damage/casualty is yet to be ascertained.
“Further details shall be communicated please.”