A tragic gas explosion at Nobpet Fueling Station, situated directly opposite the Air Force Junction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday morning, has left no fewer than five individuals injured and eight vehicles burnt beyond recognition.
The incident, which occurred around 10 a.m., originated from the gas section of the fueling station and quickly escalated, with flames spreading into the premises of the Ebonyi State Transport Corporation located adjacent to the station. Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of panic and chaos as people scrambled for safety while thick plumes of smoke filled the area.
According to on-the-spot accounts gathered by Saturday reporters, it took the concerted intervention of operatives from both the Rivers State Fire Service and the Nigerian Air Force Fire Service to eventually contain and extinguish the inferno. However, by the time the fire was put out, significant damage had already been done.
One of the victims, a commercial bus driver identified as Emmanuel Ninyaegwu, narrated his ordeal. He revealed that he narrowly escaped death while preparing to load passengers for a trip to Ebonyi State. His 18-seater bus, however, was completely destroyed in the explosion, and he sustained an injury to his ear.
“I was getting ready to load my vehicle with my pregnant wife beside me. As I was opening the boot, I suddenly heard the sound of fire and then an explosion. I fell down, managed to get up, and ran for my life,” Ninyaegwu recounted, visibly shaken. “My vehicle was consumed by the fire. A few people were injured, including myself, but thankfully, no lives were lost. The Air Force ambulance came quickly. They attended to some of the injured on the spot and took others to the hospital.”
He also disclosed that the Rivers Fire Service ran out of water during the operation, and it was only with the support of the Nigerian Air Force firefighters that the blaze was finally brought under control.
Another victim, Anthony Ofoke, the Rivers State Supervisor of the Ebonyi State Transport Corporation, lamented the destruction of two of the company’s vehicles and described the explosion as one of the most frightening experiences of his life.
“I had just finished loading three vehicles. As I stepped out to return to the office, the explosion happened. I didn’t know what else to do but to run for my life. I sustained injuries, and two of our vehicles were burnt,” he told reporters, urging the government to implement stricter regulations preventing the siting of fuel stations near residential or high-traffic commercial areas.
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the incident. Speaking to journalists via telephone, the command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the police were aware of the fire outbreak and that investigations into the cause of the explosion were ongoing.
Thursday’s explosion has reignited public concern about the proliferation of gas and fuel stations in densely populated urban areas, especially without strict compliance with safety regulations. As of the time of filing this report, emergency responders were still assessing the extent of the damage, while victims are receiving treatment in nearby medical facilities.
