A fuel tanker fire on the Eku-Abraka Road in Delta State destroyed shops and homes after residents scooped fuel from the fallen vehicle
A fuel tanker fire has wreaked havoc along the dilapidated Eku-Abraka Road in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State after a tanker laden with fuel toppled and burst into flames near the Eku Market.
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Early reports suggest that the inferno was triggered when some residents began scooping fuel from the fallen tanker, sparking a sudden explosion that rapidly engulfed the surrounding area.
Several houses and shops were reported destroyed as the flames spread through the neighbourhood.
As of press time, no casualties had been confirmed, though eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with residents fleeing as the blaze intensified.
The poor state of the Eku-Abraka Road has long been a source of concern for locals who say recurring accidents, especially involving heavy-duty vehicles, reflect years of neglect.
Emergency responders were said to be racing to contain the fire, though details of their progress remained sketchy.
Community members expressed fear over the scale of destruction and called for urgent government intervention to rehabilitate the road and enforce strict safety measures around fuel transportation.
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Authorities are expected to release more information as assessments of the damage continue.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
