Men of the Oyo State Fire Service on Sunday rescued a 35-year-old man when a fire outbreak engulfed a petroleum station in Igbeti town, Oyo State.
The incident occurred at Bon-kay Petroleum Station located along Kara Area, Kishi Road, Igbeti, when a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, caught fire while discharging its content.
It was gathered that a Volvo truck loaded with about 45,000 litres of PMS was transloading the product into the station’s underground storage tanks when sparks reportedly ignited the highly flammable substance, triggering a massive inferno.
Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and causing panic among residents and motorists in the area. Shop owners and passersby were seen fleeing the vicinity as the flames intensified.
Confirming the incident on Monday evening, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, said emergency responders acted swiftly to contain the situation and prevent further destruction.
“Upon arrival at the scene, it was a Volvo truck with registration number KSB 300XB loaded with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit engulfed by flames and heavy smoke,” Akinwande stated.
He added that firefighters immediately commenced operations to extinguish the blaze and secure the area.
“A man of about 35 years was rescued alive at the scene and conveyed to a nearby hospital for medical attention,” he said.
According to Akinwande, preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by sparks generated during the transloading of the petroleum product from the tanker into the station’s underground tanks.
The fire severely affected the tanker trailer and parts of the petrol station facility. However, the timely intervention of the fire service prevented the flames from spreading to adjoining buildings and nearby properties.
“The fire affected the tanker trailer and part of the petrol station, while properties worth millions of naira were saved from imminent destruction due to the prompt response of our officers,” Akinwande said.
Residents commended the swift response of the fire service, noting that the situation could have escalated into a major disaster given the volatile nature of petroleum products.
As of the time of filing this report, the rescued victim was said to be responding to treatment, while authorities continued assessment of the damage caused by the incident.
The fire service urged petroleum station operators to adhere strictly to safety regulations, especially during fuel discharge operations, to prevent similar occurrences