Fire Scare at Petrol Station in Anambra

There was a big scare at the Pillars Energy Filling Station close to the Stock Exchange in Onitsha, Anambra State. A petrol tanker loaded with fuel caught fire, blocking traffic and causing fears of an explosion.

The incident happened late on Monday. Thick flames were seen shooting up from the tanker, creating chaos in the area.

No one was hurt in the fire, but the truck was destroyed soon after the driver parked it. The flames also burned part of the filling station.

Eyewitnesses said the fire made authorities close off the area. Emergency responders rushed to the scene to stop the fire from spreading further.

"The petrol tanker exploded with a loud noise, causing panic. The driver ran away for safety while trying to park the vehicle."

"The fire blocked the road. Shop owners nearby quickly shut their shops and moved away. Motorists stayed clear of the area, fearing a fire explosion or other emergencies."

"Men from the Anambra State Fire Service arrived later and started spraying water around the tanker to stop any further ignition," an eyewitness told our correspondent.

On Tuesday, Chukwudi Chiketa, the Head of Media and Publicity for the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the incident in a statement. He said the fire service rushed firefighters and equipment to the location to tackle the emergency.

Chiketa said, "The Anambra State Fire Service responded quickly to a fire involving a tanker full of fuel at Pillars Energy Filling Station, near the Stock Exchange, Onitsha."

"Once we got the distress call at 9:20 PM on Monday, brave firefighters and two firefighting trucks were sent to the scene. They started working immediately to control the fire and stop it from getting worse."

"No lives were lost in this fire. We ask the public to stay calm and continue with their daily activities, as the situation is under control."

"Motorists and residents in the area should cooperate with firefighters and give them the space they need to finish their work."

Chiketa added that firefighters stayed until late Tuesday, doing safety checks and monitoring the area to ensure it was safe.

He urged residents to be careful, saying, "Fire kills, but we can prevent it."