Maduako Igbokwe l Tuesday, August 17, 2021
ONITSHA, Anambra – Two persons have lost their lives and several others sustained various degrees of injuries in a tanker explosion that happened in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state. Also , fewer than 14 buses and other properties worth millions of naira were burnt in the fire incident that occurred around the popular International Building Materials market, Ogidi.
According to eye witness, the fire which started at Sunday evening, emanated from a fallen tanker conveying inflammable products. The eye witness said the tanker fell into a ditch and emptied the content into drainage and suddenly burst out in flames.
A resident of the area , Mr. Uche Michael who was close to the scene of incident , said the tanker was stationed when another articulated vehicle trailer rammed into it, and lost control.
“Several luxury buses parked around the area immediately went up in flames. Shops and buildings within the area were also not left out too. The fire was too much that it was difficult for fire service officers to battle.”
Confirming the incident, Chief Fire Service in the State, Engr. Martin Agbili put the casualty figures at two, while 14 buses and properties worth millions were lost. He however said the fire could have spread to other parts of the area if not for the quick arrival of his men and assistance from other stations, including the one inside the market.
“Immediately we were alerted, I deployed my men who stormed the scene with five fire trucks to battle the fire which lasted for several hours. The buses affected in the incident where those within the area. We thank God we were able to contain the fire” he said.
The police command spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga who also confirmed the incident, said men of the command immediately rushed to scene and cordoned off the area to avoid hoodlums taking advantage of the fire to loot.
