Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — A mini-van conveying suspected illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil, popularly known as diesel, caught fire on Tuesday along
Woji Road, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt.
The incident which occurred near a popular shopping centre, Market Square, inside the new Port Harcourt GRA, caused heavy traffic jam in the area as the Police cordoned off a section of the road.
Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the fire explosion which occured around 4pm on Tuesday, began when a part of the the mini-van laden with AGO concealed in sacks, burst into flames after spilling some of its contents.
The fire also affected a refuse disposal truck, an electric pole, and other nearby properties, as motorists scamper for safety.
An eyewitness identified as Imoh said the fire was eventually put out through efforts of the fire service operatives and some passersby, while Mobile Policemen were at the scene to prevent people from scooping unburnt products from the van.
According to him, “We were all here, when it started. The driver was struggling with something, I think a spark. There were sacks of diesel inside.
“The next thing the driver came down and ran away. Immediately there was a large sound and it was fire. Then the fire caught this waste truck here,” the eyewitness explained.
Meanwhile, efforts to get security agencies in the state to comment on the development proved abortive, as the Public Relations Officer of NSCDC Ayodeji Olufemi said he would get back to us but never did, while the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Koko, did not take her calls nor replied to text messages sent to her phone.
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