What would have become another major fire incident was averted at the Port Harcourt refinery on Wednesday
An eyewitness who posted the video of the incident said: “A brief gas flaring incident occurred, lasting approximately 15 minutes, and was promptly brought under control by quick-response fire fighting teams”
The video showed fire fighting engines frantically pouring water to extinguish the fire.
The eyewitness, Dr Joseph Obele, who is also the National Public Relation Officer of PETROAN, described as fake news reports that the refinery was on fire.
Stories of explosions and fire incidents at oil facilities have dominated the media space in Rivers State in the last 72 hours.
Early Wednesday morning fire reportedly engulfed two NNPC flow stations at Cawthorne Channel 1 located near the boundary between Bonny and Degema LGAs, Rivers State
It was learnt that the blaze commenced at about 3am
The video which accompanied the report showed a speed boat sailing on high speed on the river with thick smoke and fire spiralling towards the sky.
It would be recalled that unconfirmed reports had indicated that explosion suspected to be Bomb rocked an oil facility in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday
Read also: Breaking: Fire engulfs NNPC flow stations at Cawthorne Channel 1 Rivers
The incident coming on the heels of Trans Niger pipeline within Ogoni axiis belonging to Shell Petroleun which exploded earlier
disrupting crude oil supply to the Bonny Terminal, a vital export hub.
It was gathered that the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni explosion occurred at a Manifold connecting federal line in Okwawriwa, sending large plumes of flames and thick smoke into the air.
The affected pipeline is said to be responsible for transporting petroleum products from major oil companies, including Seplat, Agip, and Shell, supplying areas in ONELGA, parts of Imo State, and Brass in Bayelsa State.
However, the facility is said to be situated away from residential zones, significantly minimizing the risk of casualties.
It was learnt that security agencies have already initiated investigations into both explosions.
The Rivers State Police Command had detained two individuals in connection with the Trans-Niger Pipeline explosion, though no one has been formally charged yet.
While authorities are still working to ascertain the cause of both explosions, the frequency and timing of the attacks have sparked concerns about the possibility of sabotage.
President Bola Tinubu had declared State of emergency in Rivers State citing attacks of oil installation and political upheaval in the state.
