Two persons lost their lives and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries when a fuel tanker exploded in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
It was gathered that 14 buses and other properties worth millions of naira were also burnt in the fire incident that occurred around the popular International Building Materials Market, Ogidi.
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Witnesses said the incident happened on Sunday evening after the tanker fell into a ditch and its content spilled into a drainage.
A resident, Uche Michael, said the tanker was stationed when another articulated truck rammed into it.
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 too. The fire was too much that it was difficult for fire service officers to battle.”
Confirming the incident, Chief Fire Service in the state, Martin Agbili, said two persons died while 14 buses and properties worth millions were lost.
He, however, said the fire could have spread to other parts of the area if not for the quick arrival of his men and assistance from other stations, including the one inside the market.
“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,” he said.
Police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, who also confirmed the incident, said policemen immediately rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area to avoid hoodlums taking advantage of the fire to loot.
