● Ferdy Agu
A fire outbreak erupted at a Filling Station along Agbani Road, Enugu, in the early hours of Friday, September 20, 2024, causing widespread panic. The filling station, located within the premises of Roban Stores, experienced the blaze which left three vehicles damaged. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and the fire was quickly extinguished by combined efforts from both the federal and state fire services.
Daniel Ndukwe, the Enugu State Police Command’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting the timely intervention of the fire service teams. “No life was lost. However, three vehicles on the queue to purchase fuel were torched, while normalcy has since been restored by the police,” Ndukwe said. He also indicated that the fire may have been triggered by fuel leakage from one of the vehicles refueling at the station.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the situation as chaotic, with thick black smoke filling the air. “We heard a loud explosion, and before we knew it, the whole place was on fire,” recounted Chinedu Okafor, a bystander who narrowly escaped the blaze. “If not for the quick arrival of the fire service, it could have been worse.”
A filling station attendant, who wished to remain anonymous, echoed the account of a possible fuel leak. “One of the customers was refueling when we noticed the smell of fuel. We tried to warn him, but the fire started before we could do anything.”
Another eyewitness, Mrs. Uche Eze, noted the swift response from law enforcement. “The police were on the scene very quickly. They worked with the firemen to control the situation, ensuring no further damage was done,” she stated.
According to Ndukwe, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the cause of the fire, assigning the task to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The fire has raised concerns among residents about the safety standards of filling stations in the area. A local business owner, Mr. Emeka Nwankwo, expressed his worries, saying, “This incident highlights the dangers we face daily living near a filling station. We hope the authorities will enforce stricter regulations to prevent future occurrences.”
A public safety expert, Dr. John Aniji, also weighed in on the matter. “Fuel stations need to adhere to rigorous safety protocols. Regular maintenance of fuel tanks and vehicles refueling at such stations should be mandatory to avoid situations like this,” he advised.
As the investigation progresses, the police have assured the public that all necessary measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents. GMTNewsng
