An inferno from a fallen petroleum tanker has consumed apartments and
shops leaving three people dead around MOPOL-nineteen, G.R.A Phase
Four, Port Harcourt.
The petroleum tanker, which fell around Rumuola, had spilled its
content into the drain extending from Rumuola to MOPOL-nineteen.
Eyewitnesses said the fire burned from the drains, torched shops
around Rumoula and stretched to G.R.A Phase Four to burn houses.
Those affected by the inferno that destroyed houses and shops around
Rumuola and MOPOL-nineteen area of Port Harcourt have blamed slow
response of the Rivers state Fire Service for the level of damage done
by the fire.
Those who spoke with DAILY POST said the level of damage caused by
the fire would have been minimal if the state Fire Service was
effective.
One of the respondents, who identified himself as Chibuchi, said, “I
am angry because of the magnitude of what I have lost here. When the
fire started we were calling Fire Service but they were not responding.
And this I not the kind of fire that ordinary people can quench.
“The fire was burning from Rumuola down to this MOPOL-19, If not for
the MFM Church that came to the rescue, the damage would have been worse
than this.”
In the meantime, Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government,
Victor Ihunwo advised residents to be safety conscious during the
festive season.
Ihunwo promised that the state government would assist those who lost their loved ones and property in the fire incident.