A fire broke out on Friday at the Rain Oil Filling Station in the Tumfure area of Gombe, sending plumes of smoke skyward and raising alarm among residents of the bustling commercial hub. The blaze, which erupted from a fuel tanker offloading diesel, was swiftly contained by the Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Command, preventing what could have escalated into extensive loss of life and property.
According to the Federal Fire Service, the incident was brought under control following the prompt deployment of firefighters immediately after a distress call was received. In a statement, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, ASF MB Muazu, credited the swift and professional actions of his officers for keeping the situation from turning into a major disaster.
“Upon receiving the distress call, our officers were immediately mobilised to the scene. Through timely and professional intervention, the fire was successfully contained, averting a potentially catastrophic situation,” Muazu said.
Fire officials underscored the seriousness of the situation due to the tanker’s location, a highly sensitive commercial environment close to other filling stations, business centres, and the NNPC Depot in Tumfure. Muazu explained that had the flames spread unchecked, the impact could have been far more severe.
“The affected area is a highly sensitive commercial environment. Our swift response prevented a possible chain reaction that could have affected nearby facilities and properties estimated at over ₦500 million,” he said.
Officials confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident, a result the fire service described as a testament to its preparedness and commitment to public safety. Residents in the Tumfure area, who had initially rushed out at the first sign of smoke, have since resumed normal activities after the situation was fully brought under control.
In his remarks, Muazu also urged operators of petrol stations and petroleum facilities to strictly adhere to safety regulations, particularly during the discharge of petroleum products, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We urge operators of filling stations and petroleum facilities to always adhere strictly to safety standards to prevent avoidable incidents of this nature,” he added.
Beyond the fire service’s efforts, the Federal Fire Service spokesperson commended the Nigeria Police Force, Tumfure Division, and the Department of State Services (DSS) for their support and security cover at the scene, which contributed to the effective containment of the fire and the safety of emergency personnel.
While this incident in Gombe concluded without casualties, it serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with fuel tanker operations. Just on Christmas Day, a fully loaded 33,000-litre petrol tanker exploded along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos, resulting in the loss of two lives.
The contrast between the two events highlights the critical importance of emergency preparedness, rapid response, and strict safety compliance to prevent loss of life and property when dealing with flammable petroleum products in Nigeria.
