A tank farm which the Lagos Fire Service said belonged to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has caught fire in Apapa, Lagos State.
According to sources, a massive explosion occurred around 11 am, causing people to scramble frantically to contain the fire before the arrival of the rescue team.
But the NNPCL denied that the incident happened at its depot, saying it was from a pipeline at Honeywell Oil and Gas.
It was also reported that the incident was the result of petroleum product spillage within the terminal’s perimeter.
Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the unfortunate incident, stating that a concerted effort with various emergency responders within the oil and gas industry was underway to manage the situation.
“The fire resulted from a spillage of petroleum products within the perimeter of the tank farm as concerted efforts with various emergency responders within the oil and gas industry to contain the situation,”
“The public are hereby assured that the emergency operation is under control from escalating further,” Adeseye said.
On its part, the Lagos State Fire Service on its X account said its agents are present in the fire scene.
The agency said multiple emergency response teams from the oil and gas sector are collaborating to contain the situation effectively.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently managing a fire outbreak at the newly rebranded NNPC Terminal, formerly OVH, located on Kayode Street, Marine Beach, Apapa.
“The fire was triggered by a spillage of petroleum products within the tank farm’s perimeter.
“Multiple emergency response teams from the oil and gas sector are collaborating to contain the situation effectively.
“We want to assure the public that the emergency response is under control and measures are in place to prevent further escalation.
However, the NNPCL spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, said the fire was not from the company’s depot but from HOGL.
“It is not at the NNPC, but at HOGL. The fire is at a pipeline at HOGL. The fire has since been extinguished. It’s at the Honeywell depot but it has now been extinguished. Not NNPC,” Soneye said.
He described the report of the Lagos State Fire Service as “false”.