Three firefighters have sustained varying degrees of injuries following a Thursday night fire incident at the AYM Shafa filling station located in Area 3, Garki, Abuja.
The Public Relations Officer of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service, Ibrahim Muhammad, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
According to him, the filling station was engulfed in flames after a fuel tanker loaded with petrol exploded on the premises. The service received information about the inferno at approximately 9:44 p.m. and immediately mobilized personnel and firefighting equipment to the scene.
Owing to the scale of the blaze, other fire service authorities joined the response, resulting in a coordinated inter-agency operation.
“Owing to the magnitude of the incident, other fire service authorities also joined the emergency response, resulting in a coordinated inter-agency firefighting operation,” Muhammad said.
“In the course of controlling and putting the fire off, three of our fire fighters were grossly injured, with one currently receiving intensive medical care at the Trauma Centre of National Hospital, Abuja.”
“Medical specialists are making effort to ensure his recovery, while the other two were rushed to Alliance hospital, Abuja,” he added.
Preliminary assessments revealed that the fire affected the filling station premises alongside adjoining structures, destroying a tanker carrying tens of thousands of liters of fuel and damaging property nearby.
“One fuel tanker loaded with approximately 45,000 litres of petroleum product was engulfed by the fire,” the PRO stated.
“Preliminary damage assessment reveals that 13 fuel dispensing pumps were within the affected facility.
Three fuel dispensers were directly affected by the fire, while two civilian vehicles were completely burnt.”
“Parts of the Federal Revenue Service (FRS) office and sections of Ahmad Plaza, a two-storey commercial building beside the station were affected by the incident,” he noted.
The fire service official emphasized that the cause of the outbreak remains under active investigation and cautioned members of the public against unverified reports.
“Members of the public are advised to refrain from speculation and await the outcome of the official investigation,” he said.
He appreciated the cooperation of sister emergency agencies, security personnel, and members of the public who assisted during the response, noting that prompt intervention prevented a far worse disaster.
Muhammad further stated that the service commended the dedication, professionalism, and bravery displayed by all responding personnel.
He urged operators of fuel stations and commercial facilities to strictly comply with safety regulations, maintain fire protection systems, and report emergencies immediately using official response channels (020-9290-6118).
Quoting the Director of the FCT Fire Service, Adebayo Zacchaeus, Muhammad stated that the director expressed deep concern for the injured personnel and called on the public to keep them in their prayers as they receive treatment.
Zacchaeus affirmed that the service remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property through prompt emergency response, public education, and safety enforcement.
The emergency operation was personally supervised by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel, alongside the FCT Fire Service Director and other tactical operators.
