Abuja Tanker Fire Injures Firefighters, Damages FCT IRS Office

A petrol tanker fire at the AYM Shafa filling station in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, injured firefighters and damaged part of a nearby tax office building on Thursday night.

The incident happened while a tanker was discharging petrol at the station, close to the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service office along Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti Way. Firefighters from different emergency agencies joined the response before the blaze was brought under control.

Punch, citing the FCT Fire Service, reported that three firefighters were injured, with one receiving intensive care at the National Hospital trauma centre and two others taken to Alliance Hospital in Area 11.

Vanguard, citing the Federal Fire Service, reported four injured adult males and said the tanker was carrying about 60,000 litres of petrol. It also reported that part of the adjoining three-storey FCT-IRS building was affected before the fire was contained with water jets and foam compound.

Daily Trust reported from eyewitness and fire service accounts that the tanker exploded while discharging petrol and that the fire spread quickly to nearby buildings. The outlet said emergency responders were still battling the blaze at the time of its first report.

The FCT Fire Service said the cause of the fire remained under investigation and asked the public to avoid speculation until the official findings are released.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard and Daily Trust.