Fear Grip Marine Beach Residents As Oando Tank Farm Fire Rages On

Residents of Ijora Badia in Lagos state are currently vacating their homes, while others still in the area are living in trepidation as the Oando petroleum tank farm that was gutted by fire on Thursday is still burning.

Sources confirmed to DAILY TREND NEWS that the residents of Ijora and Marine Beach area have been vacating their homes with families as the tank farm was said to have lost integrity test and it may collapse any moment from now.

There are fears that the fire might spread to other tanks within the facility.

A source told our correspondent yesterday that “The tank is still burning since yesterday and it has lost it’s integrity, so there’s high probability of it to give away any moment and that increase the level of risk around the neighboring tanks. Though we pray to contain the Fire before that happens”

Residents have started advising one another to move their families away from the area for safety, and should rather support the fire personnel battling the fire with prayers.

Firefighters, who include Federal Fire, LASG Fire, Nigerian Navy Fire, Nigerian Police, and Forte Oil Fire Service, were still battling the inferno to curtail it from escalating to other tanks in the depot.

According to an eyewitness, the fire might have been caused by the on-going welding works around the facility.

The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu had assured that the fire was localised and prevented from spreading to any secondary sites or adjoining locations.

“The tank farm has a capacity of 7.5 million litres. It is currently burning off in a controlled manner. All appropriate measures to combat the flames and prevent secondary incidents have been taken. Lagosians are urged to remain calm. Further updates will be communicated.” he had said

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Fire Service, Jamiu Dosunmu, said no life was lost to the incident, adding that firefighters were still battling to extinguish the inferno.

He said, “The acting Head, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, disclosed that no life was lost in the fire outbreak.

“Adeseye urged Lagosians to remain calm and go about with their lawful businesses as efforts are already being intensified by men of the Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency responders to put the raging fire under control