A significant fire outbreak has occurred at the Mainland Oil & Gas Station, situated along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja. The incident began around 5:10 PM on Thursday at the filling station, which is located beside Dutse Suites and Luxury Hotel.

Fire Outbreak in Abuja

Fire Guts Mainland Oil & Gas Station

Timeline of Events

• 5:10 PM: The fire was first reported at the Mainland Oil & Gas Station.
• 5:30 PM: Emergency response teams, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service, and the Nigeria Police force, arrived at the scene to combat the blaze.

Challenges Faced by Firefighters

Despite the prompt arrival of emergency teams, the firefighting efforts faced a critical challenge when the firefighters ran out of water. This unexpected shortage forced them to leave the scene, with the fire still raging.

It remains unclear whether the firefighters called for reinforcement or additional water supplies. The lack of water severely hampered efforts to control and extinguish the fire.

Impact of the Fire

The fire was reported to have entirely destroyed a fuel tanker, which was in the process of unloading fuel at the time. It is yet too early to determine the entire extent of the damage to the petrol station and its surroundings.

Emergency Response and Safety Concerns

The incident has raised concerns about the preparedness and resource availability of emergency response teams in Abuja. Running out of water during such a critical operation highlights a significant vulnerability in the city’s emergency response infrastructure.

Authorities are urged to investigate the cause of the fire, the response efforts, and the resource management to prevent such occurrences in the future. Ensuring adequate water supply and timely reinforcements is crucial for effective firefighting and public safety.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.