From Taiye Joseph Ilorin
The Kwara State Fire Service, has prevented a potentially devastating fire outbreak after a tanker conveying about 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), spilled a large quantity of fuel at Conoil Filling Station along Muritala Mohammed Road, Old Jebba Road, Maraba area of Ilorin.
The incident occurred when the tanker, which had transported the petroleum product from Lagos, was preparing to discharge one of its three compartments at the filling station.
In a statement issued in Ilorin, the Service’s Head of Media and Publicity, PFO Hassan Adekunle, said trouble started after the filling station management detected a discrepancy between the expected quantity of PMS and the measurement taken at the station.
Related News
According to him, an attempt to retrieve some of the product from the tanker led to the valve being opened, after which PMS began gushing out uncontrollably and the valve could no longer be controlled.
The spilled fuel spread within the filling station and flowed towards Post Office Road and Amilengbe Road, creating a serious safety threat to motorists, residents, businesses and nearby petroleum facilities.
Although no fire was recorded, the Fire Service described the situation as highly dangerous because of the flammable nature of PMS and the possibility of ignition.
Firefighters who arrived at the scene swiftly deployed chemical foam to cover the affected areas and suppress the risk of combustion.
The intervention successfully contained the spill and prevented the incident from escalating into a major fire disaster.
The Chief Fire Officer, CFO Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their promptness, professionalism and courage, saying their timely response was crucial to averting what could have resulted in significant loss of lives and property.
He also appreciated the Nigeria Police Force and the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA), for assisting in controlling traffic along Agric Road, Amilengbe Road and Post Office Road.
Their intervention, he said, helped keep motorists away from the danger zone and provided a safer environment for firefighters to operate.
CFO Alabi urged filling station operators and petroleum tanker owners to exercise utmost caution when loading, transporting and dispensing petroleum products.
He stressed the need for proper inspection of tanker valves, hoses and other discharge equipment before any transfer operation, noting that equipment failure during fuel handling could have catastrophic consequences.
The Chief Fire Officer also advised members of the public to keep away from areas affected by petroleum spills and immediately contact emergency responders whenever such incidents occur.
He warned that the absence of visible flames does not make a PMS spill safe, as the product can ignite rapidly when exposed to an ignition source.
The Kwara State Fire Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives, property and critical infrastructure across the state, while commending its personnel for their dedication and effective handling of the emergency.
