Kwara Fire Service Averts Disaster as Petrol Tanker Burns in Ilorin

Kwara State Fire Service personnel successfully prevented a major disaster on Saturday when a petrol tanker caught fire at a filling station in Ilorin, the state capital.

The tanker, which had just arrived from Lagos to deliver fuel, reportedly began emitting flames upon arrival at the Olumo Filling Station, located at Oko-Olowo Junction.

According to Hassan Adekunle, the spokesman for the Kwara State Fire Service, the incident occurred at approximately 2:31 p.m., involving a tanker loaded with 45,000 litres of petrol. Flames quickly spread from the tanker, posing a significant risk to both the filling station and the surrounding properties.

“Upon receiving the alert, firefighters responded immediately and engaged in intensive operations to contain the fire. Their swift and coordinated efforts prevented the blaze from spreading to the station infrastructure and neighbouring buildings,” Adekunle said. He praised the team for their high level of professionalism and bravery, noting that their intervention likely averted what could have been a catastrophic explosion.

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The director of the state fire service, Alabi Muhammed, expressed sympathy for the filling station owner over the incident while commending the firefighters for their timely response. He emphasized that adherence to safety protocols during fuel transportation and at dispensing stations is critical to preventing accidents.

Muhammed further advised all fuel transporters to conduct regular inspections of tankers, ensure functional firefighting equipment is available at all filling stations, and strictly follow safety guidelines during fuel delivery and discharge operations. He also stressed that early reporting of incidents is essential to limit damage and safeguard lives.

Eyewitnesses at the scene reported seeing thick black smoke rising from the tanker as firefighters worked swiftly to douse the flames. “It was a tense moment; the flames were intense, and everyone in the vicinity was scared,” one resident said. “We are grateful that the fire service arrived quickly. If they had delayed, the entire station and neighbouring shops could have been destroyed.”

Investigation into the root cause of the fire is ongoing, with the fire service promising to release further updates once preliminary findings are concluded. Authorities have reassured the public that there was no loss of life in the incident, and damage was largely contained to the tanker itself.

The incident has once again highlighted the importance of strict safety standards in the handling, transport, and discharge of petroleum products across Nigeria. State officials have reiterated that compliance with established safety measures is crucial for averting similar disasters in the future.

Residents and business operators in the area have been urged to remain vigilant and report any unsafe practices during fuel transportation and handling to the appropriate authorities.