On Wednesday, two people were thought dead after a fire broke out at the Nine Energies filling station in Asero, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to reports, the fire started while a medium truck was dumping diesel into another tanker.
It was also learned that those thought deceased as a result of the tragedy were the driver of the tanker that arrived to pick up the diesel and his assistant.
When our correspondent visited the scene, the filling station formerly known as NIPCO, he observed the burnt tanker as well as the firefighters from Ogun State Fire Service who came to put off the fire.
Some police officers and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) were also on the ground to ensure the safety of lives and properties.
A source said that the fire started around 10 a.m.
“We all just saw the thick smoke coming from the filling station. Nobody could go near the filling station because of the intensity of the fire. The firefighters from Ogun State Fire Service later came around to put out the fire.
“We later got to know that the fire started when a tanker that brought diesel was transferring it into another tanker. It was the tanker that was receiving the diesel that went up in flames while the one that brought the diesel hurriedly left the place to avoid being caught up. The two occupants of the tanker that was receiving the fuel were however badly burnt, they were rushed to the hospital by some people,” the source said.
The Director of Ogun State Fire Service, Fatai Adefala confirmed the incident, saying those involved in the fire incident only sustained minor injuries and were rushed to Ogun State Hospital, Ijaye for medical treatment.
Adefala also explained that only one tanker was involved in the incident.
He said, “Yes I was there, only one tanker was involved and the fire started when the tanker was about to dispense the diesel into the underground tank, it was the pumping machine that ignited the fire and the two people injured only suffered minor injuries and were rushed to the state hospital”.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command, Omolola Odutola, also confirmed the fire incident but said that she could not confirm whether there were casualties or not.