The Okeb Filling Station on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway near the Amawbia Flyover in Awka, Anambra State, has been destroyed by fire.
The cause of the fire which razed the filling station on Friday, could not be determined immediately.
The fire destroyed portions of the station’s administrative buildings as well as some machinery.
The fire destroyed three vehicles as well as other objects.
Although firefighters came quickly and battled to control and extinguish the fire after many hours, they also kept it from spreading further, with no fatalities reported.
When our journalist arrived on the scene, he noticed that residents and store owners near the petrol station were attempting to recover their things to avoid harm from the fire.
The event produced gridlock on the busy road, and a rescue squad consisting of several security personnel struggled to direct traffic.
An eyewitness, simply identified as Chidi, said, “The fire suddenly started around 6.35pm from a corner of the station before escalating into other areas. It burned for several hours before the intervention of the firefighters.
“The incident created panic around the vicinity, especially for residents and shop owners nearby, as everybody was on red alert and also assisting the firefighters to ensure the situation was under control.”
The Anambra State Fire Service’s Media and Publicity Unit, commanded by state fire chief Chukwudi Chiketa, issued a statement confirming the development.
According to Chiketa, the fire service responded to a distress call by dispatching two crews of firefighters and two firefighting engines to the location.
“The Anambra State Fire Service on Friday, September 5, 2025, successfully extinguished a fire outbreak at Okeb Filling Station, Amawbia, located along the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway by the Amawbia Flyover.
“Upon receiving a distress call, the Fire Service immediately deployed two firefighting trucks and other essential equipment to the scene.
“The gallant firefighters arrived swiftly and, after several coordinated efforts, contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading to nearby structures,” the state fire service added.
