Kwara firefighters save filling station as petrol tanker catches fire

Firefighters in Kwara State have prevented a potential disaster at a filling station in Moro Local Government Area after a petrol tanker caught fire during a fuel transfer operation.

The tanker, which was carrying about 55,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, caught fire on Friday night at A’A BA’AGEE Nigeria Limited, Aadogun Village, along the Bode Saadu-Kaiama Road.

The Kwara State Fire Service said the blaze threatened the filling station and its underground fuel storage facilities before firefighters brought it under control.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle, the agency said it received a distress call at 9:58pm and immediately deployed personnel to the scene.

The firefighters found the tanker engulfed in flames and began intensive operations to prevent the fire from spreading.

The agency said the fire was brought under control at 12:20am on Saturday, November 14.

“Although the tanker was affected by the fire, the filling station and the 55,000 litres of PMS in the tanker were successfully protected, thereby preventing what could have resulted in a major disaster,” the statement said.

According to the fire service, preliminary information indicated that the tanker had delivered fuel to the station and was transferring the product into an underground storage tank when the fire broke out.

The driver reportedly attempted to move the burning tanker away from the facility to reduce the danger.

“During the transfer process, a sudden fire reportedly erupted and caught the tanker,” the agency said, adding that initial efforts to extinguish the flames before the arrival of firefighters were unsuccessful.

The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended the personnel for preventing the blaze from destroying the filling station and its fuel storage facilities.

He warned filling station operators, tanker drivers and other petroleum handlers against ignoring safety procedures during fuel transfer operations.

Muhammed advised operators to ensure proper grounding and bonding during fuel transfers to minimise the risk of ignition from static electricity.

He also warned against smoking, open flames, welding and other spark-producing activities around fuel storage and handling areas.

The fire chief urged filling station owners to provide and maintain functional fire extinguishers, foam systems and other approved firefighting equipment.

He further called for regular inspection of fuel hoses, valves and connections, as well as adequate emergency-response training for tanker drivers and station attendants.

Muhammed cautioned untrained personnel against attempting to tackle an escalating petroleum fire without the necessary equipment and support.

He urged operators to report any fire outbreak during fuel transfer immediately to the fire service and other emergency agencies.