Kwara Fire Service Battles !nferno As Petrol Tanker Carrying 55,000 Litres Of Fuel Catches F!re At Filling Station
Kwara Fire Service Battles Inferno As Petrol Tanker Carrying 55,000 Litres Of Fuel Catches Fire At Filling Station
A major disaster was averted in Kwara State after a petrol tanker loaded with approximately 55,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) caught fire while discharging fuel at a filling station in Moro Local Government Area.
The incident occurred on Friday, November 13, 2026, at A’A BA’AGEE Nigeria Limited, a filling station located in Aadogun Village, along the Bode Saadu–Kaiama Road.
The Kwara State Fire Service, in a statement issued on Saturday, said it received a distress call about the fire outbreak at 21:58 hours on Friday, prompting the immediate deployment of firefighters to the scene.Buy Maps
According to the Service, the firefighters arrived to discover that the tanker, which was carrying approximately 55,000 litres of petrol, had already been engulfed in flames, posing a serious threat to the filling station and its underground fuel storage facilities.
The firefighters immediately launched intensive operations to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to other facilities within the premises.
The fire was eventually brought under control at 00:20 hours on Saturday, November 14, following sustained firefighting efforts.
Although the tanker was affected by the fire, the Fire Service said the filling station and the approximately 55,000 litres of PMS in the tanker were successfully protected, preventing what could have resulted in a devastating explosion and major disaster.
Providing details of how the incident occurred, the Service said information gathered at the scene indicated that the tanker had conveyed the petroleum product to the filling station, where an attempt was being made to discharge the fuel into an underground storage tank.
However, during the transfer operation, a sudden fire reportedly broke out and caught the tanker.
The driver reportedly managed to move the tanker a short distance away from the filling station in an attempt to reduce the immediate danger to the facility.
The statement added that initial efforts were made to extinguish the fire before the arrival of the Fire Service, but those attempts proved insufficient as the flames intensified and eventually engulfed the tanker.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their courage, professionalism and determination in containing the inferno and preventing the destruction of the filling station and its fuel storage facilities.
He stressed that the transfer of petroleum products is a highly sensitive operation requiring strict compliance with established safety procedures and the availability of appropriate fire protection systems.
The Chief Fire Officer consequently urged filling station operators, tanker drivers and petroleum product handlers to prioritise safety during fuel transportation, discharge and storage operations.
He outlined several safety precautions that must be observed to prevent similar incidents, including proper grounding and bonding of equipment during fuel transfer to minimise the risk of ignition from static electricity.
He also warned against smoking, open flames, welding and other activities capable of producing sparks around fuel handling and storage facilities.
According to him, filling stations must ensure that functional firefighting equipment, including suitable fire extinguishers, foam systems and other approved firefighting installations, are available and regularly maintained.
He further advised operators to conduct regular inspections of fuel transfer hoses, valves, connections and other equipment to identify defects that could compromise safety.
The Fire Service also emphasised the need for adequate emergency training for tanker drivers, station attendants and other personnel involved in petroleum product handling, noting that workers must be familiar with emergency procedures.
The Chief Fire Officer urged petroleum handlers to report emergencies immediately, stressing that any indication of fire during fuel transfer must be treated as an emergency requiring prompt notification of the Fire Service and other relevant agencies.
He further cautioned personnel against attempting to tackle an escalating petroleum fire without the necessary training, firefighting equipment and support from emergency responders.
The Kwara State Fire Service reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, property and critical infrastructure across the state, while calling on petroleum marketers and transport operators to make strict compliance with fire safety regulations a priority.
The Service stressed that prompt reporting of emergencies, installation of appropriate safety equipment and adherence to established fire safety standards remain essential to preventing avoidable disasters.
