By: Sunday Ameh
Residents of Awka were thrown into panic on Saturday evening after a tanker conveying liquefied petroleum gas burst into flames along the Awka-Enugu Expressway.
The incident occurred at Agu Awka, near the Women Development Centre, disrupting traffic and forcing motorists and residents to flee the area over fears of a possible explosion.
Eyewitnesses said the driver noticed smoke billowing from the engine compartment before the vehicle was quickly engulfed in flames.
“The driver tried to stop when smoke started coming out, but it suddenly caught fire and spread rapidly,” a resident said.
The fire was said to have razed the tanker’s head and engine cabin, raising concerns that it could extend to the gas compartment.
Officials of the Anambra State Fire Service, however, responded swiftly after receiving a distress call and were able to contain the blaze before it spread to nearby buildings or triggered a larger explosion.
A statement by the fire service indicated that the incident was likely caused by an electrical fault.
It added that although the tanker head was completely burnt, no casualty was recorded and no further damage was reported.
The agency advised motorists to regularly inspect their vehicles, particularly electrical components, and urged members of the public to promptly report fire emergencies.
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