Abia fire victims recount N140m losses, seek govt aid

Victims of a fire outbreak that razed a petroleum filling station in Nkwoegwu Community, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, have recounted their losses and appealed to the state government for assistance.

Narrating his ordeal on Wednesday, the owner of the filling station, Mr Chinonso Ahamefula, revealed that the fire started while fuel was being offloaded from a tanker at about 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, and quickly engulfed the station despite efforts by staff to extinguish it with fire extinguishers, water and sand.

He said the tanker caught fire suddenly without any warning signs.

He said, “Within 10 minutes, there was fire coming from under the truck.

“The Abia State Fire Service arrived promptly and worked for over six to seven hours to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby shops and buildings. Members of the community also joined in the effort.

“The fire service did their best. If not for their intervention, this place would have been completely destroyed.

“We also thank the community for their support. They tried everything, but couldn’t stop the fire.”

He disclosed that the inferno destroyed the station’s fuel pumps, solar system and other infrastructure, amounting to about N140 million in losses.

“The tanker itself was burnt beyond use. Adjacent shops were also damaged, including a provision store whose refrigerator and goods were destroyed, all amounting to N140 million.

“Since the incident, the station has been unable to operate. I’m overwhelmed by calls and requests from affected shop owners and do not know where to begin rebuilding.

“I’m pleading with our governor to come and assist me. The loss is huge. I don’t know where to start life again. I know he’s a listening governor with a human heart. I’m begging him to help so this place can function again.”

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He added that the filling station was currently the only one serving the area and that its closure was already affecting residents and businesses.

Also speaking, another victim of the fire incident, Mrs Oluchi Nwosu, lamented that her family had been rendered homeless after the inferno destroyed their house and shop.

She said, “First of all, I thank God that no life was lost. That is the most important thing, but we don’t have anything left. I’m pleading with the government and all concerned to help us.

“Many things were destroyed. Nothing was salvaged from the fire. Our houses, our shops and the filling station were all lost.

“I’m begging the government to come to our aid. We need help to rebuild. Please also assist my brother who manages the filling station. He wasn’t here when it happened, and it was not intentional. It was an accident.”

Responding, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Mr Chukwunenye Alajemba, said the prompt response of personnel of the Abia State Fire Service helped prevent the inferno from spreading to nearby buildings.

He said, “On June 14 at 6:35 p.m., the Abia State Fire Service received a report that AkaGod Filling Station was on fire. Personnel arrived by 6:50 p.m. to find a tanker offloading 45,000 litres of petrol engulfed in flames, with nearby buildings at risk.

“Firefighters contained the blaze to the station and tanker, preventing it from spreading to a hospital, shops and other buildings. Additional trucks were deployed from Aba, and the Federal Fire Service assisted. No casualties were recorded.”

Alajemba, who also heads the state’s Fire and Emergency Services, added that the response reflected Governor Alex Otti’s investment in emergency services over the past two years.

He urged residents to contact the fire service on 09032858657 or the medical emergency line on 0813356900 during emergencies, noting that certified fire extinguishers could help contain fires in their early stages.

On the station owner’s request for rebuilding assistance, he said the governor was a listening leader who follows due process and would review the request accordingly.