The city of Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday night witnessed another truck explosion. This time, it was a truck loaded with mattresses.

The incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. with the truck and a nearby shop being destroyed y the resultant inferno before it was put off.

Information has it that the fire was a result of an overload of mattresses by the truck which touched an electrical cable while in motion and ignited fire but the truck driver escaped unhurt.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, partly reads: “On the 01/2/2020 at about 9:30pm, following a distress call that there was a fire incident at New market road Nkpor, Police patrol teams attached to Ogidi Division immediately rushed to the scene and cordoned off the Area.

“Fire Service department was contacted and they responded promptly.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that cause of fire was as a result of overload of a truck conveying mattresses that touched a PHCN cable and ignited fire while the truck driver escaped.”

The PPRO regretted that on arrival of fire fighters, a mob attacked the fire truck and smashed the windscreen with stones before Police rescued and escorted the truck to safety.

He condemned the behaviour of the misguided elements who attacked fire fighters while trying to put off the fire.

While describing it as unfortunate, the statement warned that such act would not be condoned by the Command.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP John B. Abang, urged parents and guardians to caution their children to refrain from indulging in such act or be ready to face the full wrath of the law when arrested.

Update news