Two hurt in gas plant fire in Anambra

Two people were seriously burnt and some properties were damaged when a fire broke out at the Amingo Gas Plant in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The fire started after an ignition from the engine of a gas tanker. This caused a fire that affected part of the gas plant late on Sunday.

No one died, but an eyewitness said the injured were quickly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The eyewitness added that the fire lasted for several minutes before the state fire service arrived to control it.

"The fire started suddenly at about 7:30 pm on Sunday. Thick smoke filled the entire area. It burnt several gas tanks on site and caused some explosions.

"The fire lasted for several minutes before firefighters came to put it out and stop it from spreading further.

"Two people were badly burnt and were rushed to the hospital. We later learnt that the fire was caused by an ignition from the gas tanker’s engine," the eyewitness said.

On Monday, Chukwudi Chiketa, the Head of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the incident in a statement. He said firefighters were sent right after they got a distress call.

Chiketa said the call came in at about 7:37 pm on Sunday.

He said, "The Anambra State Fire Service responded to a fire outbreak at Amingo Gas Plant, along Nkwo-to-Nkwo Road, Oraifite, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

"The distress call was received at 7:37 pm. Firefighting operations were successful, and the team left the scene at 8:04 pm on the same day.

"Early reports show that the fire was triggered by an ignition from the engine of a gas tanker, which led to a fire that affected a section of the gas plant.

"Sadly, two staff members of the plant were injured and were quickly taken to the hospital for medical care."

Chiketa urged gas plant operators, tanker drivers, and others in the petroleum and gas sector to follow safety rules closely.

"Gas plant operators, tanker drivers, and other stakeholders in the petroleum and gas sector should maintain their vehicles and equipment well, and avoid any actions that could cause fires around gas facilities.

"Fire safety is everyone’s job. It is better to prevent fires than to fight them," he added.