Anxiety as fuel tanker explodes in Awka

There was anxiety in Awka, Anambra State, on Tuesday following a fuel tanker explosion around the Immigration Junction.
Although no life was immediately reported lost, two persons – the driver and conductor of the truck – were missing.

Rescue teams from the state fire service and road safety responded promptly to the distress call to prevent the fire from spreading to three filling stations and other buildings and vehicles around the explosion.
According to an eyewitness, the driver was speeding when he lost control and crashed while trying to negotiate sharp corner.
Confirming the incident, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Commander, Adeoye Irelewuyi, attributed the cause of the crash to excessive speed.
He warned motorists to desist from over speeding and observe recommended speed limits while driving.
He said, “An unidentified driver of a tanker laden with oil with no registration number was involved in a minor road traffic crash at Immigration Junction by Awka-Enugu Expressway today 15th, November, 2022 at about 06:50hrs.
“Two male adults were involved in the crash. None was killed, none injured. Both occupants were rescued unhurt.
“The FRSC rescue team from RS5.3 Anambra Sector Command were on the ground managing traffic, the fire service personnel were also on the ground to extinguish the fire.”
The state Fire Chief, Engr Martin Agbili, said no life was lost in the inferno, noting that the tanker driver and his conductor fled the scene shortly after the incident.
He said, “At about 0607hrs (6:07am) of today Tuesday 15-11-2022, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of a fallen petrol tanker fire of 45,000litres capacity.
“Immediately, our fearless and tireless firefighters and firefighting truck got to scene of fire led by Fire Chief Agbili Martin Agility.
“Cause of Fire: Over-speeding of the tanker driver. Three petrol filling stations within that axis were saved from fire…
“The firefighting operation was very successful as we fought the fire to standstill.”