Residents of Area 3, Garki, Abuja, nearly forget sleep on Thursday night after one fuel tanker wey carry about 60,000 litres of petrol suddenly burst into heavy fire as e dey offload fuel for AYM Shafa Filling Station.
The fire wey start without warning quickly turn the area upside down as thick black smoke cover the sky and people begin run anyhow to save their lives.
Eyewitnesses talk say fear grip everybody because the filling station dey close to offices and other buildings, and many people fear say the whole place fit blow if the fire no stop on time.
As the flames dey rise like say dem wan touch heaven, emergency responders quickly storm the scene with fire trucks and begin serious battle against the angry fire.
According to Federal Fire Service, the tanker catch fire while e dey discharge fuel, and before anybody fit shout “Jesus!”, the fire don spread enter part of the nearby three-storey FCT-IRS building.
The situation nearly turn national tragedy, but firefighters no gree panic. Dem begin pour water and special foam chemicals nonstop until the fire bow for dem.
Federal Fire Service top oga, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, carry the matter for head by himself. The man no comot from the scene till early morning, dey monitor everything bumper-to-bumper to make sure say even one spark no remain and say the fire no fit rise again.
As di fire dey rage,Four men chop inujury for di incident.
Emergency workers from NEMA quickly carry di victims enter ambulance rush dem go nearby hospital for treatment. After doctors treat dem, dem later discharge all di injured people.
One emergency official wey follow for the operation talk say wetin happen that night na pure miracle, because with the kind plenty petrol wey full inside the tanker and the place wey the filling station dey, the matter for fit turn national disaster within few minutes.
After dem finally quench the stubborn fire, firefighters no just pack go house. Dem comb the whole area like hunter wey dey find lost goat, checking every corner, every building and every spot to make sure say no hidden spark dey lurk anywhere wey fit trigger another fire.
Later, Federal Fire Service come clear everybody doubt say no life lost for the incident and no second fire outbreak happen after the operation.
The agency come thank residents, drivers, traders and everybody wey dey around the area for obeying instructions and giving emergency workers chance to do their work without disturbance.
Dem also hail FCT Fire Service, NEMA, Police and other rescue agencies wey rush come join body fight the inferno before e fit grow pass control.
Meanwhile, investigation don start sharp-sharp as authorities dey dig deep to know wetin really light the fire and wetin cause the tanker to burst into flames, so that another tragedy like this no go happen again.
One thing wey everybody agree on be say Abuja people see serious shege that night. Fear grip the whole area as fire and thick smoke take over the sky. If emergency responders delay small, the story for fit turn another thing entirely, because the damage wey for happen no be something person go fit count with fingers. Na God and quick action from rescue teams save the day.
