A filling station on the Bukuru Expressway in Jos, Plateau State’s capital, caught fire on Thursday morning, causing alarm among residents and motorists.
The impacted filling station, located near the Jos South Local Government Secretariat, was engulfed in flames, with flames developing around the big underground petroleum discharge tank, raising fears about the possible extent of the damage.
According to eyewitnesses, there were no firefighters on the site at the start of the event, while filling station employees worked feverishly to keep the blazing flames under control.
“We just saw the fire this morning at a filling station popularly known as Chill Cherry,” a passer-by, who identified himself as Maman, said.
Customers and passers-by reportedly left the area in fear for their lives, as the station also serves as a cooking gas outlet.
“I saw two emergency responder vehicles moving fast to the area, and I think their prompt response underscores the growing synergy between federal and state fire service agencies in managing emergencies and safeguarding lives and property across the state. I hope they will achieve their objective and contain the fire,” a customer who escaped from the scene added.
CSF EE Anzolo, a spokeswoman for the Federal Fire Service in Plateau State, verified the incident, adding, “Men of the Plateau State Fire Service are on the ground to handle the situation.”
