Panic as gas tanker bursts into flames in Anambra

Panic has gripped travellers and dwellers along the Awka-Enugu Expressway at Agu Awka, near the Women Development Centre, Awka, Anambra State, as a tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas burst into flames causing serious gridlock and confusion.

It was gathered that the fire, caused by an electrical fault, occurred late Saturday and completely razed the tanker head, burning for several minutes before the arrival of firefighters.

The inferno consumed the tanker head and engine cabin and was spreading fast to other sections before the arrival of firefighters, who engaged the fire and prevented its spread, thereby averting a potentially hazardous situation.

A resident and a PoS operator near the scene said, “The driver of the vehicle noticed thick smoke coming out from the engine cabin. As he tried to stop the vehicle, the smoke burst into flames and started spreading fast.

“The incident occurred at about 7 pm and caused serious panic, forcing residents and other road users to flee for safety to avoid potential danger, but fortunately, the firefighters arrived at the scene to prevent it from spreading to the gas sections.”

The Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, led by Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Sunday.

He said the fire service crew arrived at the scene upon receiving the distress call and prevented its spread to nearby properties, thereby averting a potentially hazardous situation.

“The Anambra State Fire Service has successfully contained a fire outbreak involving an LPG tanker head (engine cabin) at Agu Awka, near the Women Development Centre, Awka, Anambra State.

“The distress call was received at exactly 1927 hours (7:27 pm), prompting an immediate response from fire service crew. Upon arrival, firefighters engaged the fire and prevented its spread to nearby properties, thereby averting a potentially hazardous situation.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the fire was caused by an electrical spark. The affected tanker head was completely burnt; however, no other damages were recorded. Importantly, there was no loss of life in the incident.”

According to him, firefighters concluded operations and safely withdrew from the scene at about 8:18pm after ensuring full containment of the fire.