Tanker fire razes Anambra community as angry residents stone firefighters

A tanker fire incident at the Nkwelle Ezunaka area, near Onitsha, Anambra State, raged for hours on Saturday as angry residents chased away firefighters for reportedly responding late to their distress call.

A tanker carrying petroleum product fell into a ditch in the community and was engulfed in flames, causing panic among the people in the area.

The tanker driver was said to have lost control, making the articulated vehicle to fall into the ditch, spilling its content and resulting in a major fire.

It was gathered that the residents fled their homes for fear of being caught up in the flame.

Firefighters deployed in the area were chased back by irate mob, who protested their delay in arriving at the scene.

The mob attacked the firefighters with stones and other dangerous weapons, causing the firefighters to make a U-turn and left the area for fear of their equipment being destroyed too.

Confirming the incident, the head of Anambra State Fire Service, Mr Martin Agbili, lamented the poor attitude of members of the community towards the firefighters.

Agbili, however, said police operatives and members of Nkwelle Ezunaka community vigilante were able to render assistance.

He added that two persons involved in pelting stones at his men had been arrested, while others had fled the scene.

He said, “My men and the first fire trucks got to the fire scene of T-Junction, Nkwelle and people started throwing stones at them. People should understand that fire service is only coming to render help when there is a fire outbreak and they are not the cause of the fire.

“Having engaged the Nigeria Police Force and the Vigilante, two persons among those that threw stones on my men have been arrested and some identified ones are still on the run.

“The team of Nigeria Police and Local Vigilante led my men back to the fire scene. Our firefighters and fire trucks are back at the fire scene again to complete the fire fighting operation, and finally, the fire has been controlled.