By Emmanuel Oluwakorede
A major disaster was aborted in Lokoja, the Kogi State Capital after a tanker suspected to be loaded with Premium Motor Spirit known as petrol was gutted by fire.
The incident occurred at the Biodun and Associates filling station located at Phase 1 of the Capital City when the Tanker was discharging fuel.
Our Reporter who witnessed the incident reports that it took the bravery of the Tanker Driver, Dahiru Kabiru, who drove the heavy duty vehicle out of the filling station to avert devastation.
The Officers and Men of Kogi State Fire Service arrived at the scene at exactly 3:28pm and put off the fire in less than 20mins.
The acting Director of the Fire Service, Salawu Ozigi Umar said upon receiving the distress call, his men were immediately deployed to the save the situation.
According to him, Kogi State Fire Service is up to the task of responding to any fire disaster.
Kogi State Security Adviser, Retired Commander Jerry Omodara who visited the scene said fire disaster is a natural occurrence, saying the Biodun and Associates had operated in the State for a long time without recording the occurrence.
He commended the Tanker Driver for risking his life to drive the Tanker out of the filling station as well as the Officers of the Fire Service for their quick response.
Commander Omodara said no life was lost in the disaster, while the fuel was intact as well as the Tanker.
He commended the State Government for providing fire fighting machines which aborted what would have led to loss of lives and property.
