A tanker bearing 33,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit caught fire at Chab filling station, Umuatako, Aba, in Abia State

A tanker bearing 33,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit aka fuel caught fire at Chab filling station opposite Star Paper Mill, Umuatako, Aba, in Abia State on Thursday, destroying property worth over N130 million.

A worker with Chab, who pleaded anonymity, said the fire outbreak began at about 12 noon and lasted till about 2 pm, before it was quenched by the Abia State Fire Service firemen from both Aba and Umuahia stations.

Chief Fire Officer of the Abia State Fire Service, Arua Nnanna, described the incident as avoidable.

He said that the service had warned fuel station owners to always discharge their products when the intensity of the sun’s heat was not high.

Nnanna thanked residents and other security agencies for their cooperation which aided the control of the menacing fire outbreak.

He also lauded the efforts of his men and described the firefight as one of the fiercest his men had taken part in recently.