Residents and visitors of Ubeji community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State were Friday held for over four hours from entering or coming out of the community, following a fire outbreak from a tanker at the entrance of the community.
Motorists and commuters, including those attending a wedding ceremony in the community, were prevented from doing so due to the fire from the tanker filled with diesel.
It took several hours for firefighters from Nigeria Gas Company, NGC, Matrix, Warri Refinery and Petroleum Company, Ekpan, amongst others to bring the fire under control.
According to an eyewitness account, the driver of the tanker was stopped by some youths who demanded the sum of fifty thousand naira from him which he said he does not have.
The youths then removed the battery head of the tanker and demanded fifty litres of diesel to cover the amount, which he agreed to give to them and in the process of opening the tanker’s tap to release diesel, the battery head close to the tap suddenly sparked a fire.
Some community residents gave different versions narrating that they saw the tanker in motion leaking diesel which caused the fire.
About four persons sustained serious injuries and were taken to an undisclosed hospital.
