A petrol fire has destroyed several buildings, including the popular Festy Chemist, in Agbor, headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, following a reported tanker accident on Sunday.
Key Highlights
- A petrol fire destroys several buildings, including Festy Chemist, in Agbor.
- A tanker reportedly ruptured after colliding with another vehicle.
- Spilled fuel flowed through a drain into the Orogodo River before igniting.
- No fatalities recorded, according to preliminary information.
- No official statement yet on the incident.
The inferno sent thick plumes of black smoke into the skyline of the city as flames reportedly spread from a drainage channel near the Anglican Church, beside Orogodo Primary School, to adjoining buildings.
How the Fire Started
Although details of the incident remain sketchy at press time, a source told The Trumpet that the fire started after a petrol tanker reportedly ruptured and spilled its contents following a collision with another vehicle.
The spilled petroleum product was said to have flowed through a drainage channel into the Orogodo River before igniting under circumstances that had yet to be established.
The flames reportedly travelled back along the drainage channel from the river towards the scene of the accident, gathering intensity as they spread to nearby structures.
A source working at the local government council disclosed that several buildings had already been consumed by the fire, including Festy Chemist and adjoining structures.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued on the incident. However, preliminary information indicated that no fatalities had been recorded.
A video circulating online showed the ill-fated tanker engulfed in flames, although the full extent of the destruction and the circumstances surrounding the incident had yet to be independently established.
Read also:
- Petroleum Tanker Fire Destroys Shops, Goods Worth Millions In Cross River
- Delta Fire Service averts Petrol Tanker explosion, tackles multiple fire incidents across state
- Petrol tanker explosion in Cross River kills Police officer, soldier, scores injured
A String of Tanker Fires
Sunday’s incident comes just days after a petrol tanker fire at Oluku, near Benin City, Edo State, reportedly claimed several lives and left many others injured after a tanker overturned while reversing.
Reports from the Oluku incident indicated that some of the victims were scooping petrol from the fallen tanker when the fire broke out.
Agbor also witnessed a similar tragedy last year when a petrol tanker fire along the old Lagos–Asaba Road caused multiple casualties and destroyed buildings.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the dangers posed by petroleum tanker accidents, fuel spills and the proximity of combustible products to residential and commercial areas.
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