From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
There was pandemonium at Central Area Abuja, yesterday, when a tanker fully loaded with petroleum products exploded and went up in flames.
Eye witnesses confirmed that the tanker was discharging products at yet-to-be completed headquarters of the National Library of Nigeria located at the adjacent National Mosque, Central Area, Abuja, RCC construction workers at about 14:50 when the explosion happened and the tanker went up in flames.
The explosion, expectedly, caused panic among workers whose offices are located within the vicinity. It also attracted first responders, particularly security officials, notably the police, DSS officials and FRSC who rushed to the scene fearing it was a bomb explosion.
Few minutes after, fire fighters from both the Federal Fire Service and FCT Fire Service arrived the scene with trucks to quench the fire, which later became difficult because the tanker had broken and petroleum product was gushing out from different points, thus making it difficult to quench the fire.
However, about six trucks later arrived with sufficient water and other fire fighting facilities and extinguished the fire.
No life was lost but minor injuries were sustained by some RCC workers and some first responders.