Tanker explosion destroys six buildings, shops in Onitsha

No fewer than six buildings and shops were burnt on Wednesday at Upper Iweka, on Onitsha/Awka Road in Onitsha, Anambra State after a 33,000 litre Diesel tanker fell and caught fire.
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra Command, Mr Andrew Kumapayi, confirmed this in Awka.
He stated that the incident occurred about 12:44 p.m.
Kumapayi said that Fire Service Officials got to the scene of the fire promptly but could not put out the fire as their water pump developed fault.
“The tanker lost control due to break failure, the head of the vehicle pulled out while the tank containing Diesel fell into the gutter spilling its content on the road and caught fire due to the spill.
“The fire spread through the gutter and affected about six houses on the road and shops in Ochanja Market.
“No life was lost and no other vehicle was affected.
“The fire service got there on time but their pump developed fault, they left the scene to fix the pump and restrategise.
“If the pump had functioned, the fire wouldn’t have spread to the houses and shops,” he said.
Kumapayi warned tanker owners and drivers to ensure that their vehicles were in good condition before plying the roads.
“The saving grace was the road bumps constructed by the state government; it prevented the tanker from ramming into buildings around the area,” he said.
Kumapayi said that policemen and FRSC officials were on ground to maintain order and ensure free flow of traffic.