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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
There was pandemonium at Central Area Abuja, on Tuesday afternoon, when a tanker fully loaded with petroleum product exploded and went up in flames.
Eye witnesses confirmed that the tanker was discharging petroleum product at yet-to-be completed headquarters of the National Library of Nigeria located at adjacent National Mosque, Central Area, Abuja, RCC construction workers at about 14:50 when the explosion happened and the tanker went up in flames.
The explosion, expectedly, caused panic among workers whose offices are located within the vicinity. It also attracted first responders particularly security officials, notably, the police, DSS officials and FRSC who rushed to the scene, perhaps, with the mindset of a bomb explosion.
Few minutes after, fire fighters from both the Federal Fire Service and FCT Fire Service arrived at the scene with trucks to quench the fire, which later became difficult because the tanker had broken and petroleum product was gushing out from different points thus making it difficult to quench the fire.
However, after several trucks, about six trucks, arrived with water and other fire fighting facilities, the fire was put off. No life was lost but minor injuries were sustained by some of the RCC workers and some first responders.
