A tank farm in Apapa, Lagos State, erupted in flames on Friday morning, prompting immediate emergency response. The Lagos State Fire Service initially reported the facility belonged to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), but NNPCL swiftly denied this, attributing the incident to a pipeline at Honeywell Oil and Gas Limited (HOGL).
Fire Erupts, NNPCL Denies Involvement
A video of the fire quickly circulated on social media, causing widespread concern. However, NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye clarified, “The fire is at a pipeline at HOGL, not at the NNPC depot. It has since been extinguished.”
Fire Service Confirms Incident
The Director of Public Affairs of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Amodu Shakiru, confirmed the fire outbreak, stating, “The call came in at 11:27 am. Our firefighters are on the scene.” The fire reportedly stemmed from a spillage of petroleum products within the tank farm’s perimeter.
Coordinated Efforts to Control Fire
Margaret Adeseye, Director and CEO of the Lagos State Fire Service, assured the public that coordinated efforts with various emergency responders were underway to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
Despite the initial mix-up over the fire’s location, authorities have now clarified the situation, with the fire at the HOGL facility having been successfully extinguished. The incident underscores the critical need for stringent safety measures in the handling and storage of petroleum products.