From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
A major fire outbreak involving a petrol tanker loaded with about 55,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), at a filling station in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, has been contained by the state Fire Service, preventing the destruction of the facility and its underground fuel storage tanks.
The tanker was engulfed in flames on Friday night while petroleum products were being transferred into the underground storage facility of A’A BA’AGEE Nigeria Limited, located at Aadogun Village along Bode Saadu–Kaiama Road.
The Kwara State Fire Service, which confirmed the incident, said its firefighters received a distress call at 9:58 p.m. on Friday, November 13, and immediately mobilised to the scene.
According to a statement by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the tanker had already been engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, posing a serious threat to the filling station and its underground fuel storage facilities.
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He said the firefighters immediately launched intensive operations to contain the inferno, which was eventually brought under control at 12:20 a.m. on Saturday, November 14.
Although the tanker was affected by the fire, Adekunle said the filling station and the 55,000 litres of petrol were successfully protected from destruction.
Information gathered at the scene indicated that the tanker had arrived at the station to discharge its petroleum products when the fire suddenly broke out during the transfer process.
The driver reportedly managed to move the tanker a short distance away from the filling station in an attempt to minimise the danger to the facility.
Efforts by some individuals to extinguish the fire before the arrival of firefighters, however, proved unsuccessful as the flames intensified and eventually engulfed the tanker.
The Chief Fire Officer, CFS Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their courage, professionalism and determination, noting that their intervention prevented what could have resulted in a major disaster.
Muhammed described petroleum product transfer as a highly sensitive operation requiring strict compliance with established safety procedures and the availability of functional fire protection equipment.
He urged filling station operators, tanker drivers and other petroleum handlers to ensure proper grounding and bonding during fuel transfer to minimise the risk of ignition from static electricity.
The Chief Fire Officer also warned against smoking, open flames, welding and other spark-producing activities around fuel handling and storage areas.
He advised petroleum marketers to install and regularly maintain appropriate fire extinguishers, foam systems and other approved firefighting equipment, while ensuring that transfer hoses, valves and connections were routinely inspected for defects.
Muhammed further called for regular fire safety training for tanker drivers, station attendants and other personnel, stressing the need for immediate notification of emergency responders whenever signs of fire are detected.
He cautioned personnel against attempting to tackle an escalating petroleum fire without the necessary training, equipment and support of emergency responders.
The Fire Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, property and critical infrastructure across Kwara State, urging petroleum marketers and transport operators to prioritise safety compliance in their daily operations.
