A suspected arson attack on a diesel storage facility in Anambra State has left one person badly burnt and several storage tanks damaged, with the cause of the fire still under investigation.
One person has been badly burnt after a fire engulfed a diesel storage facility in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, destroying several storage tanks and other property.
The fire broke out late on Sunday, 1 November, at Ndieze Nwankwo, along Edibros Road in Uruagu, triggering panic among residents in the surrounding area.
The injured person was rushed to hospital for medical attention. No deaths were reported.
The Anambra State Fire Service said it received a distress call at about 17:45 local time and immediately deployed firefighters to the scene.
According to the service, its personnel worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further, although some of the diesel storage tanks were affected.
An eyewitness said the fire produced thick smoke and was accompanied by explosions as the flames engulfed several tanks at the facility.
The eyewitness also suggested that the incident might have been deliberate.
The state fire service said the fire was suspected to have been started intentionally by an unidentified person, but stressed that the actual cause remained under investigation.
Firefighters concluded their operations at about 20:58 on Sunday, according to the service.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of petroleum-product storage facilities and the potential dangers fires at such locations pose to nearby communities.
The Anambra State Fire Service urged residents to handle and store petroleum products carefully and to report emergencies promptly to help minimise casualties and property damage.
