There was panic along the Igboukwu-Uga Road in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, after a fully loaded tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit fell on the road, causing a major obstruction and raising fears of an explosion.
The accident, which occurred on Sunday, was attributed to a brake failure which caused the tanker to lose balance before toppling over and immediately began discharging its contents onto the roadway.
Our correspondent gathered that the fallen vehicle blocked the busy section of the road, forcing authorities to divert traffic while emergency responders and operatives of the state fire service battled to avert a fire outbreak.
The emergency responders were said to have had a hectic time preventing community members from scooping fuel, thereby averting the risk of fire and possible casualties.
This will be the third time a petrol tanker has fallen on a major road in the state within the last week, as the recent one occurred on Tuesday after a fully loaded tanker conveying petrol fell at No. 18 Enugu Road, directly in front of OVL Filling Station, causing a major obstruction and raising fears of an explosion.
Our correspondent, who visited the scene on Monday, observed that the content of the tanker had been transloaded into another one, with the crashed one still blocking the road while motorists were being diverted to make use of alternative routes.
An eyewitness and an indigene in the area, Osita Ibe, said, “The tanker suffered brake failure as the driver was navigating the road in the morning, thereby tumbling over with a loud noise and immediately started discharging its contents to the ground. The area was cordoned off and motorists were diverted to prevent any explosion.
“Fortunately, there was no casualty recorded. Some residents who attempted to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker were prevented from doing so before the arrival of firefighters who came and sprayed chemicals around the scene to prevent a possible explosion, while the remaining content was transloaded into another vehicle.”
The Head of Media and Publicity, Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said two firefighting trucks were dispatched following the distress call.
Chiketa said the swift and professional intervention by the firefighters prevented the situation from escalating into a fire outbreak.
He said, “The Anambra State Fire Service this morning received a distress call at 8:35 am on Sunday reporting a fallen tanker loaded with petrol along the Igboukwu–Uga Road in Aguata Local Government Area.
“The tanker was said to have suffered brake failure, causing the driver to lose control. In an attempt to stabilise the vehicle, the tanker fell and began discharging petrol onto the roadway. Firefighters were immediately mobilised to the scene. Their swift and professional intervention prevented the situation from escalating into a fire outbreak.
“During the transloading process, the Fire Service team sprayed water mixed with foam compound to reduce heat and prevent combustion, maintaining full safety control throughout. They also successfully prevented community members from scooping fuel, thereby averting the risk of fire and possible casualties.
“No life was lost. Fire Service personnel and the tanker remained at the scene during the transloading process.”
He strongly advised the members of the public to avoid scooping fuel in any situation and to always call the Fire Service promptly in emergencies via 08069654255.
Punch Online on Tuesday reported that there was panic in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Tuesday after a fully loaded tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) fell at No. 18 Enugu Road, directly in front of OVL Filling Station, causing a major obstruction and raising fears of an explosion.
The accident, which occurred around 11:15 a.m., was attributed to a deflated tyre that caused the tanker to lose balance before toppling over.
The fallen vehicle completely blocked the busy section of the road, forcing authorities to divert traffic while emergency responders battled to avert a fire outbreak.
They also successfully prevented community members from scooping fuel, thereby averting the risk of fire and possible casualties
Men of the Anambra State Fire Service were immediately deployed to the scene and were seen spraying water around the tanker to neutralise any ignition source.
