Fuel tank explodes in Lagos depot

There was panic on Wednesday at Stallionaire Oil Depot in Ijegun, Satelite Town, Lagos State, as a fuel-laden tank in the facility went up in flames.

The fire, which started around 12.30pm, engulfed the tank, but was curtailed from spreading to the four other tanks in the depot by firefighters.

It was gathered that the tank had suddenly exploded. What triggered the explosion was yet to be ascertained.

Men of the Lagos State Fire Service, the state emergency management agency, Federal Fire Service and firefighters from Julius Berger Plc, battled to put out the fire, while security agencies protected the premises.

The General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Tiamiyu Adesina, said no casualty was recorded in the incident.

He said proper investigation would be conducted into the incident and advised managers of oil and gas companies to always ensure that proper emergency response plans were put in place.

He said, “The agency was alerted to a tank farm fire incident at Stallionaire Oil Depot, Ijegun Satelite Town. Consequently, the agency activated its emergency response plan with all the relevant stakeholders.

“Emergency responders were on the ground to curtail the inferno to only the petrol tank, while other (AGO and DPK) tanks were salvaged.”