Enugu Fire Service Issues Safety Advisory on Tanker Accidents

The Enugu State Fire Service has urged motorists and residents to immediately alert emergency responders whenever fuel tanker accidents occur on major roads in the state.

Speaking to journalists in Enugu on Tuesday, the Director of the service and Chief Fire Officer, Engr. Okwudili Ohaa, advised members of the public to make use of designated emergency lines, including 08080304303, 122 and 112, to report tanker crashes, fires and related emergencies.

Ohaa stressed the importance of providing accurate location details to emergency agencies, noting that timely information could help save lives and reduce the risk of disasters.

“Timely information helps emergency agencies respond quickly and contain dangerous situations before they escalate,” he said.

He warned motorists and bystanders to keep a safe distance from fallen fuel tankers, even in situations where there are no visible flames.

According to him, victims trapped inside accident vehicles should be rescued immediately before people move away from the danger zone.

“Every second matters when dealing with fuel tanker emergencies,” Ohaa added.

The Chief Fire Officer explained that emergency response operations require collaboration among multiple agencies, including firefighters, the police and the Federal Road Safety Corps.

“Firefighters control hazards by wetting the surrounding area of the accident; the FRSC manages traffic, traffic diversion and evacuates victims; while police secure the area,” he said.

Ohaa also cautioned against fuel scooping, crowd gatherings and the recording of videos at accident scenes, warning that such actions could worsen emergencies and endanger lives.

“Curiosity around tanker accidents can cost lives and worsen emergencies,” he said.

He further appealed to motorists to give right of way to emergency vehicles responding to incidents and encouraged road users to assist accident victims, particularly in situations not involving inflammable materials.

“Humanity must come first before social media attention or online popularity,” he stated.

To mark International Firefighters' Day, Ohaa observed a minute’s silence in honour of fallen firefighters and commended serving personnel for their dedication.

“Firefighters continue making personal sacrifices daily to protect lives and property,” he added.