A major fire outbreak at a filling station in Abuja has left three firefighters injured and caused significant damage to part of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office, raising fresh concerns about safety standards during fuel handling operations in the nation’s capital.
The incident occurred at the AYM Shafa Filling Station in the Area 3 district of Garki after a tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) caught fire while discharging its contents into the station’s underground storage facility. The blaze quickly spread, threatening nearby buildings and prompting an emergency response from the Federal Fire Service and other rescue agencies.
During the operation to contain the inferno, three firefighters sustained varying degrees of injuries while battling the flames. Despite the challenging conditions, emergency responders successfully prevented the fire from escalating into a larger disaster. However, parts of the nearby FIRS office were affected before the blaze was eventually brought under control...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service personally supervised the emergency operation, coordinating firefighters and other first responders who worked for several hours to extinguish the fire. Authorities also evacuated affected individuals from the scene while traffic around the area was diverted to allow rescue teams unrestricted access to the site.
Following the successful containment of the fire, officials assured residents that there was no further threat to surrounding properties. The Federal Fire Service commended the cooperation of members of the public and other emergency agencies, including the police and the National Emergency Management Agency, whose joint efforts helped prevent additional casualties and extensive property damage.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the immediate and underlying causes of the incident. The outcome of the probe is expected to guide future safety measures aimed at preventing similar accidents, particularly at fuel stations located close to public buildings and densely populated areas.
