Photo File Of Fire Incident Scene.
Residents and business owners in the Rumukurusi axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were alarmed when a gas plant caught fire early on Tuesday.
It was learned that the incident happened around five in the morning, while most people were still asleep.
Locals reported that they heard shouting coming from the Hydropet Oil Services Limited gas facility when they woke up.
A local store owner, only identified as Grace, claimed to have witnessed the fire when she woke up at around five twenty in the morning.
She stated, “So I quickly came out to the road leading to Eneka, lo and behold it was Hydropet gas plant that was on fire. The fire was huge. I was so afraid because My shop is close to that place.”
Men from the Federal Fire Service were reportedly observed attempting to put out the fire at nine in the morning.
A resident relayed that it was the Shell fire service that extinguished the fire, which lasted for about four hours.
“Imagine from Artillery to Eleme Junction there is no fire station. Even when the Federal Fire Service came within a short time they ran out of water.
“Thank God for the Shell Fire Services because we don’t know maybe the tank would have exploded.”
Meanwhile, numerous residents and business owners gathered to witness the fire, with some expressing concern about a potential explosion.
A substantial police presence and the fire service team secured the area with red lights, restricting vehicles from accessing the road.
In response to inquiries, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that she would inquire with the police division and provide information.