Follow Us on Google
… several injured, properties destroyed
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
A mysterious explosion rocked a private filing station in Calabar on Saturday morning causing a huge fire which destroyed the facility.
Several residents were also affected in the course of the inferno with a number of them sustaining injuries in the burnt facility which is located along Edibe Edibe Road in Calabar South.
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 to witness the inferno and the situation reportedly gave room for hoodlums and looters to cart away items from affected shops and the damaged facility.
Other News
It has not been established what caused the incident and an official account of the incident is being awaited as authorities have commenced investigations.
Andy Etim, an eyewitness wondered why a major gas station was licenced to operate in a densely populated area.
He also expressed displeasure that despite several fire incidences in the state in recent weeks, the state still lacks a functional and handy fire fighting vehicles.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed that officers had been deployed to the scene to prevent breakdown of law and order.
He added that efforts were underway to mobilise fire service personnel, including support from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to contain the situation.
