By Tony Okafor, Awka
Panic erupted in Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State, on Monday night after a fully loaded petrol tanker caught fire at Pillars Energy Filling Station, near the Stock Exchange.
The incident, which occurred around 9:20pm, caused pandemonium in the area as thick flames rose from the tanker, sparking fears of a possible explosion.
There were no reported casualties, but the fire caused significant disruption around the filling station as motorists avoided the area while shop owners hurriedly shut their businesses and moved away from the scene.
The tanker was said to have caught fire shortly after the driver parked it at the filling station, with part of the station reportedly affected by the blaze.
The development also led to traffic obstruction as emergency responders moved in and the affected area was cordoned off to prevent people and vehicles from getting dangerously close to the burning tanker.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that firefighters later arrived at the scene and began spraying water around the tanker to prevent the flames from spreading and to neutralise any possible source of ignition.
Confirming the incident , the Head of Media and Publicity, Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, said firefighters responded swiftly to the emergency.
Chiketa said the distress call was received at 2120 hours on Monday, following which firefighters and two firefighting trucks were immediately deployed to the scene.
He said, “The Anambra State Fire Service has responded swiftly to a fire incident involving a tanker laden with fuel at Pillars Energy Filling Station, near the Stock Exchange, Onitsha.
“Immediately upon receiving the distress call at 2120 hours on Monday, gallant firefighters and two firefighting trucks were mobilised to the scene, and they commenced firefighting operations to bring the fire under control and prevent further escalation.
“No life was lost in the incident. The general public is hereby advised to remain calm and go about their normal business, as the situation is fully under control.”
He urged motorists and residents around the area to cooperate with firefighters and give them enough space to carry out their operations.
According to him, firefighters would remain at the scene until late Tuesday, conducting further safety checks and monitoring the area to ensure that it remained safe.
Chiketa also urged residents to remain vigilant, stressing that fire prevention remained a collective responsibility.
“Fire kills, but we can prevent it, Chiketa said.
