Diesel Truck Explodes In Anambra As EEDC Warns Against Bush Burning

Two persons were injured while many shops and an electric transformer belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company were burnt Wednesday night at Agulu town, by Owo Filling Station, when a diesel laden tanker lost control while descending towards Nise/Amawbia road.

An eyewitness, who identified herself as Mama Onyinye, told our correspondent at Agulu that the truck driver ‘suddenly lost control while descending towards Nise/Amawbia road, and the spillage from the truck spread to the electric transformer and nearby roadside shops and got burnt as a result of ignited fire’.

It was gathered that two persons, comprising the truck driver and his motor boy, sustained varying degrees of injuries as a result of the accident, and are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility. Goods worth millions of naira were also destroyed.

THE WHISTLER reports that a combined team of the FRSC operatives and the police controlled the traffic while men of the Anambra State Fire Service extinguished the inferno.

Confirming the incident, the sector commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra State, CC Andrew A Kumapayi, while wishing the injured victims quick recovery, warned motorists, especially truck drivers, to embark on regular maintenance of vehicles and always drive with absolute concentration. He further urged them to observe at least 15 minutes’ rest after every four hours of drive to avoid fatigue and possible road mishaps.

Meanwhile, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Thursday, warned against indiscriminate bush burning to avoid fire outbreaks as the harmattan season sets in.
Mr Emeka Eze, head, corporate communications of the agency, stated this in Enugu in a chat with newsmen. According to him, “Fire outbreaks are among the most common risks facing EEDC, especially during the harmattan season. As a result of this, EEDC is reminding her customers of the need to be cautious during this period.

“The harmattan season is synonymous with dry wind, which makes it very easy for fire to spread, thereby causing destruction of lives and property. Our major concern is those in rural communities that engage in hunting activities, who usually set bushes on fire. We appeal that even if they must engage in such, that they exercise caution and do so in a well-coordinated manner, to avoid causing damage to our installations located within their environment.”

He further urged customers to always turn off electrical appliances in their homes when they are not in use to avoid the risk of fire outbreaks. He also stressed the need for the general public to engage the services of professionals in electricity matters to avoid possible misfortunes.

Quoting him, “Overloading of electrical sockets is also identified as a potential cause of fire outbreaks, and customers are advised to desist from such act. EEDC is working assiduously to ensure that safe environment is maintained across its network, and that the already improving service quality is sustained.”