Conoil Filling Station Gutted Down By Fire...

THE Conoil Filling Station located directly opposite first gate of the Benue State University Makurdi, the state capital, was on Saturday afternoon gutted by fire following tanker explosion.

It was gathered that the explosion occurred from a tanker that was discharging petroleum at the station.

The incident sent out a large ball of fire and smoke into the air, thereby causing serious commotion around the densely populated school area of the city causing serious traffic blockade along the ever busy Makurdi- Gboko road in the process, thereby bringing business activities and vehicular movement to a halt.

A staff at the Conoil filling station who spoke to our correspondent on ground of anonymity disclosed that the fire started around 2:30pm ‎when a tanker was discharging fuel to the tanks of the petrol station.

The source said that there was no casualty neither anyone injuried‎ but that some sections of the filling station with other valuables documents were affected by the inferno.

It added that the fact that it was weekend and in the afternoon, reduced the risk of casualties and significant damage.

He said that officers and men of the State Fire Service were on hand to tackle the fire and helped in preventing it from spreading to neighbouring buildings including the MTN mast located within premises of the station.

Some eye witnesses who are students at the Benue State University Makurdi, confirmed that the prompt response of the fire service saved the situation otherwise it could have spread to the campus.

An eye witness and a 400 level economic student, Gabriel Agbo said, “I was about to cross the main road to my apartment when I saw the explosion and heavy fire at the station”.

Efforts to contact the state chief fire officer, Mr. Andrew Onmakpo proved abortive but his men were seen at scene of the incident trying to put out the inferno.

from Nigerianews