By Busari Kabirat
Ekololu community area in Surulere, Lagos, was on Monday night engulfed with pandemonium, when fuel transporting tanker back tyres bursted to flame near Conoil filling station while trying to make supply.
Residents in the area living close to the filling station made it known that the explosion of the tyres and ensuing billows of the smoke made them flee for safety.
Eyewitnesses made it known that staff from the filling station hurriedly rushed out with fire extinguishers to combat the fire. This was around 9:00 p.m when the fire erupted few meters away from the station’s entrance.
State and Federal Fire Services, likewise the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), quickly arrived at the scene following distress calls from the community.
Upon arrival, the emergency teams assessed the unregistered truck carrying the petrol and raised concerns about safety measures while questioning the driver and filling station management.
They provided guidance and oversaw the safe discharge of the fuel using a long hose to transfer the petroleum product from the stranded tanker into the filling station’s reservoirs.
Mr Kunle Oniya, the Station Manager of the Conoil filling station, told the emergency responders that the station had 20 fire extinguishers, which were promptly utilised to contain the fire and prevent its spread.
The incident led to a long time traffic which lasted for about an hour along the axis which prevented vehicles to move.
