By: Pentho Goldmark A massive fire on Friday gutted Okeb Filling Station along the Awka axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, destroying pr...
By: Pentho Goldmark
A massive fire on Friday gutted Okeb Filling Station along the Awka axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, destroying property worth over ₦100 million.
According to the Anambra State Fire Chief, Mr. Chukwudi Chiketa, the fire broke out around 2 p.m. while a truck was discharging petroleum products. Unfortunately, the fire service was not alerted on time, making it difficult to minimize the damage.
The inferno razed six petrol pumps, the tanker conveying the product, three utility vehicles, and parts of the station complex. Luckily, no lives were lost.
Chiketa lamented that the situation could have been avoided if the discharge had been done at night and urged filling station owners to always keep safety equipment such as industrial fire extinguishers and sand buckets handy. He also appealed to the public to reach him directly on his personal phone line for faster response during emergencies.
The station’s owner, Mr. Okechukwu Ebele, while counting his losses, expressed gratitude that his workers escaped unharmed.
An eyewitness, Mr. Uche Ifeleoma, explained that the fire started after an electrical spark occurred while technicians were working on the tanker. Efforts to reach the fire service through the official emergency line initially failed, but the firefighters eventually arrived and were able to save the restaurant section and parts of the complex.
The Okeb Filling Station reportedly houses a mini-mart, lubricant shop, restaurant, and other facilities in addition to fuel dispensing points.
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