A private fuel and gas filling station exploded on Edibe Edibe Street in Cross River State’s Calabar South Local Government Area, seriously injuring numerous persons and destroying property.
The explosion that happened on Saturday entirely destroyed the facility known as Fonex Gas Station.
The fire destroyed large portions of the station, including the gasoline and gas storage tanks, as well as automobiles parked on the site.
The explosion’s impact caused severe injuries to a number of people. Some were taken to hospitals for more care, while others received first assistance from local patent medicine shops.
There was a security void at the time this complaint was filed because neither the police nor the fire department had shown up.
Hoodlums and looters are said to have been able to take goods from the destroyed plant and the impacted stores.
Thousands of locals flocked to the site, and some of them tried to help control the fire with water, sand, and other homemade tools.
The cause of the explosion was described differently by eyewitnesses. Some locals claimed that a client making a phone call close to the gas dispensing location might have started it.
Ekpenyong Sam, a mechanic who works across from the station, suggested that the incident might have been caused by an electrical malfunction or outdated equipment in the building.
“This fire outbreak must have been caused by an electrical fault or expired equipment within the facility,” he added.
Parents of the impacted youngsters were spotted sobbing and anxiously looking for their children as a result of the tragedy, which also caused dramatic scenes.
Officers had been sent to the scene, according to ASP Eitokpah Sunday, the state’s police public relations officer.
In order to contain the situation, he continued, attempts were being made to mobilize fire service personnel, with assistance from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
“Our officers have been deployed to the scene. We are making efforts to mobilize fire service personnel, including support from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, to contain the situation,” he explained.
