A Nigerian man Ejiro Otarigho who has been dubbed a “hero” for risking his life by driving a burning fuel tanker away from a densely populated suburban area in Warri, Delta State, in the country’s South-South, has told newsmen about his experience.
“‘There was just one thought on my mind and that was to plunge the burning tanker into a river nearby.
”My [assistant] was the one who alerted me to the fact that our tanker was on fire. It was a scary ball of fire,” Otarigho said.
Otarigho stated that he had just offloaded some of the tanker’s cargo and was on his way to another location when tragedy struck.
He told his assistant to get off and sped away in the burning tanker, amidst shrieks of fear and dismay from onlookers.
In the dangerous incident, Otarigho’s slight lapse in judgment or a sudden explosion could have resulted in total disaster.
“My intention was to drive to the river. When I got there the car steering got stuck and I couldn’t move any further.
“I said if I drive straight, the truck may fall and that may cause another problem. So I just have to park in the open space,” he recounted.
Otarigho eventually got the tanker to safety, and onlookers can be seen dragging him away in one of the videos. Except for some smoke inhalation and a few bruises, he is unharmed.
Tanker fires are common in Nigeria, and many lives have been lost, as well as property damage.