A fire outbreak has destroyed a filling station, a warehouse and other buildings in Sabon Wuse Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to SaharaReporters, it was learnt that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion.
A resident confirmed this, narrating that the fire, which started around 11:00 PM on Saturday, destroyed a warehouse belonging to a popular businessman called Alhaji Seven Seven.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the resident is heard lamenting that there was no response from the state fire service. The resident blamed the absence of fire service in the area on the persistent fire incidents in the community.
The resident said: “As you can see, at around 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM, a fire broke out in the Sabon Wuse Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident is occurring at a business location; the fuel station, a food store, and Alhaji Seven Seven’s warehouse. As you can see, the fire is still raging, destroying the fuel station and the store.
“Unfortunately, we have not received any assistance from the fire service to extinguish the flames. This is a recurring issue in our area, and we often do not get a response from the fire service. We are pleading with the government to come to our aid, as this situation poses a serious risk. May God help us.”
WATCH: Another Explosion Rocks Niger State, Destroys Filling Station, Warehouse, Others pic.twitter.com/MhC8Ir00zI
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) February 9, 2025
When contacted, the Niger State Fire Service Prevention Officer, Ibrahim Khalil Abdullahi, confirmed the incident.
He told SaharaReporters that the fire was put out around 3 AM on Sunday and that no casualty has been recorded.
“We are aware of the incident. Our men went there. They eventually quenched it around 2 AM to 3 AM. We thank God there is no casualty (nobody died) but we are still investigating the cause and the extent of the damage done,” he told SaharaReporters.
“I will send you the update once I have it.”
In a related incident, SaharaReporters previously reported a catastrophic fuel tanker explosion that took place in the state approximately three weeks ago. This explosion tragically claimed the lives of at least 98 people and left many others severely injured.
The disaster occurred when residents gathered to collect spilled fuel, which unexpectedly ignited, resulting in a massive explosion.