A potential fire disaster was averted in Awka, Anambra State, after firefighters swiftly responded to a fully loaded petroleum tanker that overturned and spilled its contents along the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway.
The incident occurred on Sunday night at Agu Awka Junction, beside the Revenue Office, following a road accident that left the tanker overturned and parts of the vehicle damaged.
The State Fire Service said its prompt intervention prevented the spilled petroleum product from igniting and potentially causing a major fire or explosion.
The State Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, disclosed this on Monday, saying the Fire Service received a distress call at about 10:30 p.m. and immediately deployed a response team to the scene.
According to him, firefighters secured the area and took precautionary measures to contain the situation and prevent secondary hazards.
Chiketa said that upon arrival, the crew found the tanker overturned with some of its contents already spilling onto the roadway.
He confirmed that no fire outbreak, death or injury was recorded in the incident.
He added that the exact carrying capacity of the tanker could not immediately be established at the scene.
The Fire Service subsequently secured the area and managed the situation until the crew withdrew at about 11:45 p.m.
Chiketa urged motorists and residents to exercise extreme caution around accident scenes involving fuel tankers and other vehicles conveying hazardous materials.
He also advised members of the public to promptly contact the Fire Service whenever they encounter emergencies that could result in fire, explosion or other secondary hazards.
The incident highlights the danger posed by tanker accidents on busy highways, particularly when petroleum products spill onto the roadway.
Fortunately, the swift response of the Anambra State Fire Service prevented the accident from escalating into a major disaster.
