Following an intense fire generated by a
Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker which caught
fire at the Emmordic petroleum filling station on
Ikoyi Road, Okitipupa, Ondo State, one driver is
said to have sustained serious burns.
The incident, which occurred around 10 p.m.
Saturday evening, panicked nearby residents.
The petroleum tanker with the registration
number FSB 382 XB was loaded with 33,000
litres of petroleum when the incident occurred.
An eyewitness told a correspondent in
Okitipupa that the driver of the tanker was
offloading the petroleum when the unexpected
occurred.
“The driver drove into the station a few minutes
to 10 p.m. In fact, he had almost finished
offloading the content (petrol) when something
like a spark occurred from the downward side of
the trailer and it immediately [caught] fire."
The witness further added that the bravery of
the driver saved the day as he quickly drove the
tanker out of the gas station to avoid multiple
tragedies.
The motorcycle destroyed in yesterday's
blaze
“Immediately when he saw the trailer was on
fire, the driver drove [the tanker] out, meanwhile,
getting burnt and shouting for help."
Except for the driver, who sustained severe
injuries, no other injuries or deaths were
recorded. A Toyota vehicle and a motorcycle
were burnt as a result of the incident.
Several residents berated officials of the State
Fire Service for failing to respond to the situation
despite distress calls made to their offices.
Spokesperson of the Ondo State Police
Command, Wole Ogodo, who confirmed the
incident to Saharareporters, said the petroleum
tanker caught fire while its driver was
discharging its content.
“The tanker got burnt while it was discharging
fuel inside at the petrol station,” Ogodo said,
adding that “The driver is receiving treatment at
the Okitipupa hospital."
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