By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The gallant officers of the Anambra State Fire Service on Friday, successfully put out a heavy fire outbreak that occurred at Okeb Filling Station, Amawbia, along the Amawbia Flyover axis of the ever-busy Enugu–Onitsha Expressway.
This was contained in a statement issued over the weekend by the agency, in which it was revealed that the incident was promptly contained following the swift intervention of the firefighters after a distress call, which prompted the immediate deployment of two firefighting trucks and other essential equipment to the scene.
Reports have it that moments of tension ensued as the inferno raged, threatening to spread beyond the filling station to adjoining structures and businesses along the busy highway. However, with the firefighters arrival in record time and, through coordinated efforts, the raging flames were battled until they were successfully extinguished.
This was corroborated by video from the agency currently trending on social media, showing the site of the inferno and some of the affected valuables at the time the firefighters were battling it off.
The intervention not only saved the facility from total destruction but also averted what could have been a major disaster, given the station’s strategic location and the heavy traffic density of the Amawbia axis.
The Anambra Fire Service, while confirming that normalcy had been restored at the site, commended the quick cooperation of residents and passersby who helped in controlling movement within the area, thereby enabling the operatives to work effectively.
The agency further reassured Ndi Anambra of its continuous readiness to respond to emergencies and urged members of the public to promptly report any fire outbreak through official emergency channels. It also advised filling stations, markets, and other high-risk business areas to always maintain standard safety precautions to prevent fire disasters.
As at the time of filing this report, no casualties were reported, while the exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
Watch the video below:
