The Edo State Police Command has confirmed that eight people sustained burn injuries in the fire that engulfed Oluku Market in Benin City on Thursday, destroying shops, vehicles and traders’ goods.
The police said the fire broke out at about 11:50 a.m. while members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers emergency response team were transferring fuel into another tanker.
The police said a tanker had overturned at about 7:30 a.m. along the Benin–Lagos Expressway in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, spilling petrol.
The fire destroyed two buses, an Audi saloon car, another truck and parts of the market. The police said the total value of the damage had yet to be determined.
The eight injured victims were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Police officers were deployed to the scene to maintain order, evacuate members of the public and prevent people from scooping fuel. Other security personnel and firefighters also participated in the response.
An eyewitness quoted by PUNCH said he was scooping petrol when a soldier warned him about the danger of an explosion.
The witness said he turned away shortly before the tanker burst into flames, expressing gratitude to the soldier for the warning.
The fire consumed parts of the market, destroying commercial structures, vehicles, food items and other goods belonging to traders.
The losses were estimated at millions of naira, although a comprehensive assessment of the damage was not immediately available.
Some victims were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for treatment, where medical teams attended to people with burn injuries.
Security personnel, firefighters and other emergency responders were involved in efforts to control the fire and clear the affected area.
The incident also raised concerns about the dangers of fuel spills near busy markets and the risks faced by traders and residents during tanker accidents.
Also Read: Traders in agony as fire razes 21 shops at Kugbo
The incident sparked outrage on X, with users criticizing people who rushed to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker and questioning the emergency response.
A user identified as fw_spacelance, questioned why people would approach an overturned tanker to collect petrol despite the danger.
“I don’t know why you’ll see a tanker capsize and the first thing that will come to mind is to pack petrol, for something that flammable,” the user wrote.
Another user, @FavourAniop, blamed greed for the decision to scoop fuel, while @SirLaykay, warned that risking one’s life for petrol was not worth the consequences.
“If you are stupid enough to risk your life because of fuel, you can as well embrace the consequences,” @SirLaykay wrote, adding that nothing was worth losing one’s life.
However, some users questioned the emergency response. @lola3benson, wrote: “Once again no emergency response! 💔”
The comment reflected frustration over the perceived lack of a timely response, although the exact arrival time of emergency services had not been established.
Another user, @OmojolaBisayo, questioned whether those who went to scoop fuel should be held responsible for their actions rather than blaming the President. The user also criticised people in the market who allegedly failed to flee before the fire spread.
Other users expressed sadness over the destruction.
@Pelumii100x, reacted with the words, “omo, God abeg,” while @DARKLORD1042, said the incident had ruined an otherwise smooth day.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about fuel scooping from fallen tankers, a dangerous practice that exposes people to fires and explosions.
Authorities routinely warn the public to keep away from damaged fuel tankers and allow emergency responders to secure the scene.
As affected traders assess their losses, the final casualty figures and the precise cause of the fire remain to be confirmed.
Crediblenewsng.com
