Five injured in Rivers filling station explosion

A gas explosion at Nobpet fueling station, located opposite the Air Force Junction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has left five people injured and destroyed eight vehicles.

Saturday news gathered that the explosion occurred at the gas section of the station around 10 am. on Thursday.

The fire that accompanied the explosion spread to the premises of the Ebonyi State Transport Corporation, situated next to the fueling station, where the eight burnt vehicles were parked.

Eyewitnesses at the scene confirmed to our correspondent that it took the combined efforts of the Rivers State Fire Service and the Nigerian Air Force Fire Service to extinguish the blaze.

One of the victims, Emmanuel Ninyaegwu, a commercial driver whose 18-seater bus was destroyed in the fire, also sustained an injury to his ear.

He recounted the terrifying moment of the explosion, saying he was preparing to load his vehicle alongside his pregnant wife when the incident occurred.

Ninyaegwu said, “I was getting ready to load my vehicle (from Port Harcourt to Ebonyi State). As I was opening my car boot, I heard the sound of fire. I fell down, got up and ran just before any explosion. It damaged my vehicle. Some people got injured, including me. Nobody died.

“Some of those injured have been taken to the hospital. An ambulance from the Air Force came in. They treated some people on the spot, while others were taken to the hospital.

“The fire service operatives ran out of water while battling the fire, but help later came from the Air Force. That was when they were able to finally put it out.”

The Supervisor of the Ebonyi State Transport Corporation in Rivers State, Anthony Ofoke, said two of his vehicles were destroyed in what he described as a devastating event.

“I have never experienced anything like this in my life. After loading three vehicles, by the time I returned from the office, I heard the explosion. I didn’t know what to do other than to run for my life. I was injured, and my vehicles were affected,” he said.

Ofoke appealed to the government to prevent fueling stations from being established near residential areas.

The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.

“I am aware of a fire outbreak at the filling station. Investigation is ongoing,” she told our correspondent in a short telephone conversation.