BY SUNNY DAVID
At least two persons were reported dead in a tanker fire that erupted in Ogidi, near Onitsha, Anambra state on Sunday night.
Our correspondent gathered from sources that about 14 buses were also burnt while properties worth millions of naira were damaged by the fire at the popular International Building Materials market.
The fire started Sunday evening at about 8pm when a fallen tanker conveying inflammable content fell into a drainage and sparked fire after spilling its content.
A resident of the area who claimed to be at the scene when the incident happened, said the tanker was stationary when another articulated vehicle trailer rammed into it, following a loss of control.
He said, “Several luxury buses parked around the area immediately went up in flames. Shops and buildings within the area were also not left out. The fire was too much that it was difficult for fire service officers to battle.”
Chief Fire Service officer in the State, Engr. Martin Agbili confirmed the incident, saying two persons died in the incident, while 14 buses and properties were lost to the inferno.
He said, “Immediately we were alerted, I deployed my men who stormed the scene with five fire trucks to battle the fire which lasted for several hours.
“The buses affected in the incident were those within the area. We thank God we were able to contain the fire.
The Police Spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga also confirmed the incident, saying, “our men have cordoned off the area presently, to avoid hoodlums taking advantage of the fire to loot.”
