Several injured as gas station explodes in Calabar

A private petrol and gas station on Edibe Edibe Street, Calabar South LGA, Cross River state, exploded on Saturday, injuring several residents and destroying property.

The facility, identified as Fonex gas station, was completely razed, with fire consuming fuel and gas storage tanks and vehicles on site.

The explosion occurred in a densely populated neighbourhood, impacting nearby shops and buildings and forcing residents to flee.

Several victims sustained serious injuries from the impact of the explosion.

While some were receiving first aid at nearby patent medicine stores, others were rushed to hospitals for further treatment.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the police nor the fire service had arrived at the scene, creating a security vacuum.

The situation reportedly gave room for hoodlums and looters to cart away items from affected shops and the damaged facility.

Thousands of residents gathered at the scene, with some attempting to assist in containing the fire using sand, water, and other improvised means.

Ekpenyong Sam, a mechanic who works opposite the station, attributed the incident to a possible electrical fault or expired equipment within the facility.

“This fire outbreak must have been caused by electrical fault or expired equipment within the facility,” he said.

ASP Eitokpah Sunday, police public relations officer confirmed officers had been deployed and that efforts were underway to mobilise the fire service, including support from the federal airports authority of nigeria.

“Our officers have been deployed to the scene. We are making efforts to mobilise fire service personnel, including support from the federal airports authority of nigeria, to contain the situation,” ASP Sunday said.

The incident comes shortly after a similar explosion along the Ajah-Sangotedo axis of Lagos State, where a gas tanker collision killed two people and destroyed warehouses on the Lekki-Epe expressway.