UMUAHIA, Abia State — Victims of a devastating fire incident at Aka-God Fuel Station in Nkwoegwu Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area, have appealed to the Abia State Government for urgent assistance, recounting losses estimated at over N140 million following the inferno that occurred on Sunday, June 14.
The fire broke out at approximately 6:15 p.m. while a fuel tanker was offloading petroleum products at the station. According to the station owner, Mr Chinonso Ahamefula, all standard safety procedures had been followed before the offloading commenced, including fuel dipping and the deployment of fire extinguishers.
“About 10 minutes after I spoke with my manager, he called me and said there was a fire. I was shocked. He told me that while they were offloading fuel, fire suddenly erupted from underneath the tanker without any prior sign of danger,” Ahamefula recounted.
Despite immediate attempts by workers to extinguish the fire using extinguishers, sand, and water, the blaze quickly intensified beyond their control. The fire destroyed the fuel tanker, dispensing pumps, solar power installations, buildings, and several nearby shops. Business owners operating within the premises also lost goods and equipment worth millions of naira.
According to Ahamefula, the total loss is estimated at more than N140 million, with the destroyed tanker alone valued at nearly N70 million, while petroleum products worth approximately N16 million were also consumed by the fire.
“Everything here is damaged. The pumps are scrap, the tanker is a complete loss, the solar system is gone, and many shops were burnt. People are asking me how I will rebuild their shops, and honestly, I don’t know where to start,” he lamented.
One of the affected residents, Mrs Oluchi Shedrack, thanked God that no lives were lost but appealed for urgent government intervention. “We lost everything. Not a single item was recovered from the fire. We are pleading with the government and the governor to help us rebuild our shops, homes, and businesses. This was an accident, and we need support to start again,” she said.
Despite the magnitude of the disaster, Ahamefula expressed gratitude that no lives were lost and praised the swift response of the Abia State Fire Service. “If not for the intervention of the fire service, this place would have been destroyed. They spent over six hours battling the fire and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings. I thank God, the fire service, and the community members who came out to help,” he said.
Speaking at the scene, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security and leader of the state’s emergency services, Mr Chukwunye Alajemba, disclosed that emergency responders arrived within minutes of receiving distress calls. He said the fire involved a tanker carrying approximately 45,000 litres of petroleum product and posed a serious threat to surrounding buildings, including a nearby hospital.
“Our immediate objective was to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring structures. Additional support was mobilised from Aba, and the Federal Fire Service also joined the operation. Thankfully, there were no casualties,” Alajemba stated.
He credited the successful containment of the fire to investments made by Governor Alex Otti’s administration in strengthening emergency response services across the state. “The response witnessed here is evidence of the governor’s commitment to emergency management. In previous years, the destruction could have been much worse,” he added.
Responding to appeals for government intervention, Alajemba said the station owner’s request would be considered through appropriate channels. “The governor is a listening leader with a compassionate heart. I am confident that the request for assistance will be examined and addressed in accordance with due process,” he said.
Residents and affected traders have joined the call for government support, urging authorities to assist victims in rebuilding their businesses and homes. Previous fire incidents in Abia State have prompted similar appeals from victims, with Governor Otti directing investigations into fire outbreaks and promising government support to affected families.
