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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Thirty eight people sustained serious injuries in a massive explosion that occurred yesterday at a private gas filling station in Calabar, Cross River State capital, causing a huge fire which destroyed the facility.
The explosions rocked the Fonex Gas Station located along Edibe Edibe Road in Calabar South Local Government Area and caused extensive damage to the property but no fatalities were recorded.
Several residents were also affected by the resulting inferno with a number of them sustaining injuries in the burnt facility.
The State Police Public Relations Officer Sunday Eitokpah, in a statement made available to journalists gave insight to the fire incident, saying, “At approximately 10:00 am, yesterday, a gas explosion occurred during an attempt to transfer gas from the storage tank to the service tank by a gas attendant.
“During the operation, the hose detached, causing gas fumes to leak into the surrounding area. All attempts to secure the storage tap were unsuccessful, and the attendant had to evacuate immediately.
“The leak escalated rapidly, leaving insufficient time to warn nearby residents. The area was engulfed in flames, resulting in significant property damage, the value of which is currently unquantified.”
“Several residents sustained injuries, primarily burns. Those with serious burns have been transported to the Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.
“Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported at this time. As at now 38 victims with different degrees of burns have been evacuated to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital”, he said.
The inferno, which lasted for over an hour, consumed major sections of the station, including its fuel and gas storage tanks, as well as vehicles parked within the premises.
Several residents gathered as the fire raged. The situation reportedly gave room for hoodlums and looters to cart away items from affected shops and the damaged facility.
Andy Etim, an eyewitness, wondered why a major gas station was licensed to operate in a densely populated area.
“I wonder how these stations get approval to site their operations in densely populated areas. This practice should be reviewed for the safety of the common man and measures should be emplaced to minimize incidences like this,” he said.
He also expressed displeasure that despite several fire incidents in the state in recent weeks, the state still lacks operational fire fighting vehicles.
