On Thursday, in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, a massive incident unfolded as a 45,000-litre petrol tanker caught fire while transferring fuel to the Fortunate Petrol Filling Station’s reservoir.
The station, situated opposite Government Secondary School, Maraba, on Old Jebba Road, was on the brink of a major disaster.
Fortunately, the state fire service acted swiftly, responding to the emergency and preventing the situation from escalating into a catastrophic fire.
The incident occurred at around 19:44 hours, and the tanker, bearing registration number PTG 534 XA, was in the process of transferring Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into the station’s underground reservoir.
In a commendable display of efficiency, the firefighters managed to bring the inferno under control and completely extinguish it within a remarkable 10-minute timeframe.
The spokesperson for the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, revealed that an investigation unveiled a concerning detail: the tanker, having covered a considerable distance, became excessively hot, leading to the ignition of spilled petrol during the transfer process.
Hon. AbdulRazaq Jiddah, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, was present at the scene.
He took a moment to commend the firefighters for their heroic efforts and rapid response, acknowledging their instrumental role in preventing further damage to the filling station and the nearby structures.
Adding to the cautionary note, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, the Director of Kwara State Fire Service, urged the general public to exercise safety measures, particularly during this period.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with fuel transfer activities, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and adherence to safety protocols to avert such disasters.
