A massive fire engulfed a filling station in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, on Thursday evening after a fuel tanker exploded while offloading fuel.
The incident occurred around 8pm at Shakkotu along Kiyawa Road, causing panic among residents.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with people fleeing for their safety, The PUNCH reports.
The blaze caused significant damage to the filling station and several nearby properties. The Jigawa State Police Command, through its spokesperson, SP Shi’isu Adam, confirmed the incident.
“We immediately rushed to the scene with the fire service men. For now, there is no report of deaths, but our men are at the moment at the scene of the incident and details would be released later,” Adam said.
Police swiftly cordoned off the area to prevent further damage and ensure public safety.
The whereabouts of the filling station manager remained unknown, while staff refused to comment, citing instructions from their superiors.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that a recent devastating fuel explosion in Minna near Dikko Junction, along Minna Road, resulted in at least 98 fatalities, with numerous others injured.
The explosion occurred when residents gathered to collect spilled fuel, which suddenly ignited, causing a massive blast.
Additionally, a petrol-laden tanker exploded in Ibadan, killing the driver and injuring one other person.
The tanker lost control, collided with two other trucks, and overturned into a pit before catching fire.
In another tragic incident, four people were recently killed in Agbor, Delta State, following a fuel tanker explosion along the old Lagos-Asaba Road, near First Bank and Access Bank.
Also, on Sunday, a tanker explosion occurred on Saturday at Ugwu Onyama along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, killing at least 18 people. (SaharaReporters)
