Gas explosion destroys properties worth millions of naira in Cross River
Property estimated at several millions of naira was on Tuesday evening destroyed by fire in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
The incident occurred at a gas refilling plant along MCC Road, close to Effio-Ette junction at about 6pm.
An eyewitness, who gave his name as Matthew, said that he and others were watching football around the area when they heard a heavy explosion.
“We were watching football in the neighbourhood when we heard heavy explosion from the gas refilling plant and we rushed in to help as there was no help from the fire service.
“People ran to the place and collected detergent from people’s stores, poured it into water and emptied it on the flame of the fire and that was how we were able to put out the fire,” he stated.
He said some persons sustained various levels of injuries and were rushed to the hospital.
“I saw two persons being rushed to the General Hospital as a result of burns. We prayed that they should not die,” he said.
Matthew lamented that the fire would not have been so devastating had the fire service responded.
“In fact, we called the fire service but they said outright that they have no functional equipment to fight fire,” he added.
The Public Relations Officer of the State fire service, Mr Cletus Makper, on Tuesday night, said, “We don’t have anything in case of any fire disaster or emergency.
“We are not funded and we cannot carry out any rescue of any kind in that place.”
