“The driver drove into the station a few minutes to 10 p.m. In fact, he had almost finished offloading the content (petrol) when something like a spark occurred from the downward side of the trailer and it immediately [caught] fire."
Following an intense blaze generated by a Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker which caught fire at the Emmordic petroleum filling station on Ikoyi Road, Okitipupa, Ondo State, one driver is said to have sustained serious burns.
The incident, which occurred around 10 p.m. Saturday evening, panicked nearby residents.
The petroleum tanker with the registration number FSB 382 XB was loaded with 33,000 litres of petroleum when the incident occurred.
An eyewitness told our correspondent in Okitipupa that the driver of the tanker was offloading the petroleum when the unexpected occurred.
“The driver drove into the station a few minutes to 10 p.m. In fact, he had almost finished offloading the content (petrol) when something like a spark occurred from the downward side of the trailer and it immediately [caught] fire."
The witness further added that the bravery of the driver saved the day as he quickly drove the tanker out of the gas station to avoid multiple tragedies.
“Immediately when he saw the trailer was on fire, the driver drove [the tanker] out, meanwhile, getting burnt and shouting for help."
Except for the driver, who sustained severe injuries, no other injuries or deaths were recorded. A Toyota vehicle and a motorcycle were burnt as a result of the incident.
Several residents berated officials of the State Fire Service for failing to respond to the situation despite distress calls made to their offices.
Spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Wole Ogodo, who confirmed the incident to Saharareporters, said the petroleum tanker caught fire while its driver was discharging its content.
“The tanker got burnt while it was discharging fuel inside at the petrol station,” Ogodo said, adding that “The driver is receiving treatment at the Okitipupa hospital."