After a fuel tanker burst in the Idi-Ape neighborhood of Ilorin, Kwara State, on Saturday, the Kwara State Fire Service prevented fatalities.
However, PUNCH Online learned that the fuel tanker was fully burned, resulting in damage to two local businesses and a football viewing center.
The tanker with registration plate MUS 916 YF, filled with 22,000 liters of fuel, was headed to Ajegunle, Idi-Ape area, Magaji Are Quarters to deliver diesel when it suddenly took fire, according to an eyewitness testimony that was verified by the Kwara State Fire Service.
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“On December 30, 2023, at approximately 10:47 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service swiftly responded to a fire emergency at Magaji Aare quarters, Ajegunle, in the Idi-Ape area of Ilorin East Local Government,” stated Hassan Adekunle, Head of Media and Publicity for the Kwara State Fire Service.
When the firefighters came with their firefighting equipment, they found a 22,000-liter diesel tanker with the registration number MUS 916 YF on fire.
When the tanker’s valve opened and diesel began to sloshing out violently, things became worse. Relentlessly, the firefighters, showcasing their remarkable firefighting abilities, demanded more assistance, and a second fire engine promptly joined the endeavor. The committed group managed to put out the blazing fire after a relentless hour of work.
“Unfortunately, two stores and a football viewing center were damaged by the subsequent fire.”
According to the Kwara State Fire Service, N145.2 million worth of property was believed to have been salvaged during the event, while N34.6 million worth was reported to have been lost in the fire.
The statement said, “After conducting an investigation, the tanker driver informed the Fire Service team that the fire started in the pumping machine that syphons diesel for the ‘Collo site’ mast, which supplies all networks.”
Adekunle went on to state that “men from the ‘C’ Division of the Nigeria Police were on the scene to uphold order and control any potential disturbance by the mob.”
“The firefighters were able to work effectively and efficiently in order to overcome the difficult situation thanks in large part to the community’s cooperation.”
In order to save lives and property in the state, the director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, urged the public to always err on the side of safety, particularly during this time, and to never hesitate to call the fire brigade men on time whenever there was a fire emergency in their areas.