Residents of Zik’s Avenue, Awka, Anambra State, were on Saturday morning, jolted by the news of another fuel tanker fall close to St. Patrick Cathedral Church.

The news led to pandemonium as people ran out of their houses for fear of being caught up in the inferno that might follow as the content of the tanker had poured into the gutter.

Shops located in the area were also under lock and key as owners hanged around, heart in hand, praying for the worst not to happen.

It was gathered that the tanker – unlike the four others that earlier fell in the state – was not in motion when it rolled and fell into the gutter spilling its content.

The State Chief Fire Fighter, Engr. Martin Agbili, while answering questions from journalists said the disaster was forestalled following the quick intervention of his men shortly after the incident occurred.

He said: “Immediately the tanker fell, calls started coming and we deployed our men to the scene. Though the content had spread before we arrived, but we were able to neutralise it with our chemicals.

“The three chambers of the tanker had been dispensed inside the underground tank and was parked along the road waiting for the following morning for further dispensing.

“Unfortunately, the tanker suddenly started moving from where it was parked, pushing away the wedge used to block it from rolling.

“We’re now transferring the remaining content to the underground tank of the fuel station it was supposed to empty the content to forestall any calamity.”

Agbili said the owner of the petrol station opposite where the tanker fell said that the content of the tanker had already been dispensed the previous day before the incident took place.

Agbili gave assurance that with the chemical spray, residents have no cause to worry adding that fuel evaporates quicker than diesel especially with the chemical combat.

The Executive Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Emeka Obinwa, said they were at the spot of the accident to help prevent casualties and to also assist in case of casualty but fortunately, there was none.

He said it was divine intervention that Awka was not engulfed adding that the early morning rain also played a role.

Obinwa said: “The timely intervention of the fire service men helped to tarry what would have been another calamitous disaster in Anambra State today.”

The recent statement by the state government for tankers to stop plying the roads during the day needs to be enacted as a law for it to completely adhered to.

Recall that the State Government had in a statement said that petrol tankers will now operate between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. in the state.

The statement which was signed by the commissioner for Information, C Don Adinuba warned that violation of the time restriction will be punished accordingly.

“Following the incessant collapse of trucks carrying petroleum products in Anambra State in recent times, including one which happened in Onitsha on Thursday, the Anambra State Government has decided to restrict the time which vehicles laden with petroleum products can move in the state,” the statement.

“With effect from Saturday, November 2, 2019, such vehicles can be allowed to move within Anambra State from only 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

“The restriction is to enable agencies like the Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Civil Defence, the Anambra Traffic Management Agency and indeed all other security, law enforcement and safety agencies to respond effectively and in good time to emergencies created by such accidents,” the statement stated.

Though Saturday’s tanker fall did not come with casualties, a Mercedes car parked by the side of the road was damages as the tanker fell on top of it.

One Emeka Abana said the car was given to him by his friend to sell for him and he parked it there on Friday evening only to receive a call in the morning that tanker fell on top of the car.

He said he was yet to meet with the owner of the fuel station to find solution to the damage.

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