A potentially serious fire incident was prevented in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Monday after emergency responders quickly contained an accident involving a 45,000-litre petrol tanker at a filling station.
The crash occurred around 6:02 a.m. at YTK Filling Station, located opposite the Youth Camp in the Apata area of Eyenkorin.
Spokesman for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said the tanker, bearing registration number ARP 51 XB, was being repositioned within the station when the driver reportedly lost control.
The tanker hit the station’s perimeter fence, causing the compartment containing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to separate from the truck.
Adekunle said firefighters arrived promptly, secured the area and began intensive cooling and dampening operations to prevent the spilled petrol from igniting.
According to him, the fuel was later safely transferred into another empty tanker under the supervision of the fire service. The operation was completed without any loss of life, injuries or fire damage.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended the emergency responders for their swift and professional handling of the situation, saying their intervention prevented what could have become a major catastrophe.
He also urged tanker drivers and petroleum marketers to strictly follow safety procedures during the transportation, parking and handling of petroleum products, stressing that caution remains the best way to avoid preventable emergencies.
Petroleum tanker accidents continue to pose a major safety challenge in Nigeria, with many incidents leading to deadly fires and extensive property damage. Fire authorities have repeatedly called on operators to comply with safety regulations and ensure the proper handling of flammable products.
