Tanker Fire Devastates Shops, Homes in Bayelsa

A tanker fire near Okaki Junction in the Akenfa area of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, has ravaged shops and homes, though fortunately, no lives were lost in the blaze.

Smart Okhwo, a resident from the Ofoni community in Sagbama Local Government Area, recounted his harrowing experience.

Okhwo stated that he received a call informing him that his house was ablaze, but by the time the fire service arrived, his home, including a PoS kiosk operated by his son, had already been consumed by the flames.

Goods belonging to his tenants, who ran shops in his house, were also destroyed.

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The fire victim commended those who attempted rescue efforts before the fire service’s arrival.

According to him, the fire ignited when the tanker caught fire and spread to nearby houses and shops.

He attributed the incident to the police, claiming they caused the tanker to overturn by blocking its path with a keke.

It was said that the driver, in an attempt to avoid the keke, mounted the pavement, leading to the tanker’s somersault and subsequent fire.

Okhwo called for government intervention to support his tenants and local business owners, revealing that many properties were lost despite rescue efforts.

Dennis Godwin, another affected house owner from Delta State, shared that he had travelled two days prior and was urgently called back due to the fire.

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Grateful that no lives were lost, he urged the government to provide assistance.

A trader, who chose to remain anonymous, lamented the loss of his goods and demanded justice.

Firefighter Nelson Meeting, who led the response team, stated that they arrived promptly after receiving the distress call.

However, their efforts were hampered by other road users who did not yield to their sirens.

Meeting also criticised onlookers for obstructing their work by taking videos, warning that phone radiation could be hazardous in such situations.

He urged the public to follow firefighters’ instructions in future emergencies.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Musa Mohammed, refuted claims that the police were responsible for the accident.

Mohammed explained that the tanker lost control due to brake failure and collided with the keke, whose driver escaped by jumping into the nearby Epie Creek.

He added that the driver was later rescued.