Victor EzejaThe fire accident that occurred at a petrol station in Onitsha on Sunday evening razed two tanker trucks laden with diesel and seven cars, but no life was lost says Director Anambra State Fire Service, Engr. Martin Agbili.
Agbili in a statement on Monday morning said the inferno which started around 7 pm Nigerian time affected Chris-Tee and Silver filling stations near Borromeo Roundabout, Onitsha.
He said officers of the Anambra State Fire Service responded immediately upon receiving a distress call when the fire started and were able to quench the fire.
The statement reads, “At about 1930hours (7.30 pm) of yesterday being Sunday 12th December 2021, we received a distress call of fire outbreak at one of the fueling stations at Onitsha.
“Immediately, our Firefighters and fire trucks were deployed to the fire incident scene to fight and extinguish the fire.
“On getting to the fire scene, we found out that the fire was in Chris-Tee and Silver filling stations near Borromeo Roundabout, Onitsha.
“At the fire scene were four fire fighting trucks and Firefighters, and other sister agencies who were helping in the crowd and traffic control.”
The Anambra Fire service boss stated that it is yet to ascertain the root cause of the fire outbreak but an investigation is ongoing to determine that.
He also enjoined people in the state to disregard every rumour that the fire service officers came unprepared to quench the fire.
“I want to use this medium to let the public DISREGARD, that the Anambra State Fire Service came unprepared to the fire scene. We are ever ready to fight fire anywhere in Anambra State. All the public owe Anambra State Fire Service is to call them on time. Your call on time will determine the RESPONSE time to any fire distress call.
“I want people to DISREGARD, that it was Delta State Fire Service that came to fight the fire at Onitsha. We must know that Delta Fire Service did not cross the boundary talk less of coming closer to the fire scene.
“We must remember that fire prevention/fire safety management is everybody’s business while fire fighting remains for fire service especially when the fire has gotten out of control.
“Finally, I want to reassure Ndi Anambra of our commitment to our duty of safeguarding the lives and properties of Ndi Anambra in terms of any fire outbreak,” Agbili stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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