Pandemonium engulfed Ekololu, a community in Surulere, Lagos State on Monday night when the back tyres of a tanker transporting fuel to a Conoil filling station explode into flames near the station.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent who resides in the area reports that the explosion of the tyres and the billows of smoke made residents living near the filling station to run for their safety.

Observations by NAN revealed that staff from the filling station hurried out with fire extinguishers to combat the fire, which erupted around 9:00 p.m., just a few meters from the filling station’s entrance.
Emergency responders, including Federal and State Fire Services, as well as the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), swiftly arrived at the scene following distress calls from the community.

Upon their 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.

The Station Manager of the Conoil filling station, Mr Kunle Oniya, informed the emergency responders that the station possessed 20 fire extinguishers, which were promptly utilised to contain the fire and prevent its spread.

The incident led to a traffic jam. Vehicles were unable to move in the area for nearly an hour.
Some residents shared their experiences of the incident with NAN.

A resident, Malam Shehu, recounted abandoning his dinner upon witnessing the fire explosion.
He expressed gratitude that the fire was contained before causing further damage.

Another resident, simply known as Iya Abigail, explained that she was playing games when she suddenly heard people shouting prompting her to run in confusion wearing her night wears.
She prayed for continued safety in the community.

An elderly resident, who preferred anonymity, urged filling stations in the area to prioritise safety and the welfare of residents.

She noted that filling stations typically had insurance against fire and other disasters and suggested extending such coverage to vulnerable buildings in their host communities.

Recalling the chaotic events, she said that she heard the sound of an emergency whistle to alert the neighbourhood before hastily evacuating her home.

“I was watching TV and when the incidence occurred, I had to blow the emergency whistle to alert the neighbourhood but I quickly dressed up before running out of the house,” she said.

(NAN)

Police confirm two dead as bridge collapses in Ebonyi

The Police Command in Ebonyi State has confirmed two persons dead after a bridge under construction at Mgbabeluzor village in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi collapsed on Monday.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Joshua Ukandu confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki.

He said that the incident occurred about 10 a.m. while the construction workers were at the site.

Ukandu said that the victims, Oshim Simon and Francis Inyang, were labourers working with the construction company handling the project and they died as a result of the injuries sustained when the accident happened.

He said their corpses had been evacuated and taken to Iboko General Hospital Mortuary in the area. (NAN)

NEMA confirms 3 dead, 2 injured in Kano building collapse

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed three persons dead and two injured in a three-storey building collapse incident at Kuntau Quarters, Gwale Local Government Area of Kano.

Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, NEMA Kano Territorial Coordinator, confirmed the incident and casualty figures to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kano.

“We received a distressed call today at about 9:20 a.m from a good Samaritan that a three-storey building under construction collapsed at Kuntau quarters.

“On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene.

“So far, five persons were rescued and taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, out of which three were confirmed dead, while two victims sustained injury and are receiving treatment” Abdullahi said

He noted that the search and rescue operation was still ongoing to rescue those trapped.

“NEMA rescue team, Kano State Fire Service, Police, red Cross, NSCDC and SEMA among others are still at the site of the incident to ensure removal of other trapped victims,” Abdullahi said.

(NAN)