*Police, fire fighters rise to save the situation
From Chuks Moses, Awka
Barely forty-eight hours after the unfortunate petrol tanker fire explosion at the Ochanja/Upper Iweka area of Onitsha which destroyed some lives and millions of Naira worth of wares, household goods and buildings, another explosion was recorded early this morning in another part of the commercial city.
Another petrol tanker fire explosion rocked Agulu, Anaocha Council area of Anambra state, few hours after the dawn explosion at the Omogba area of Onitsha. It has also been confirmed that the content of the truck was petrol and not LPG.
The earlier explosion took place at the popular Chukwudi Bus stop, opposite Bessoy Filling station on the Enugu-Onitsha federal highway.
The incident, according to police and eyewitnesses, occurred at about 03:26am when a truck loaded with petroleum product collided with a heavy duty truck and burst into flames.
The ensuing fire burnt three Caterpillars, three cars and a truck load of planks.
Alert Police patrol teams led by the Onitsha Area Commander reportedly rushed to the scene and cordoned off the Area to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation to loot property, while men of the Anambra state fire Service department who were contacted responded promptly and put out the fire.
According to a statement by the state Police command spokesman, Mr. Mohammed Haruna, the Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang, ordered a discreet investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.
He confirmed that no life was lost and that the obstruction was cleared to enable free flow of traffic.
The situation at the other explosion which is now under control occurred when a truck fully loaded with petrol had brake malfunction while trying to make a U-turn in front of St Stephens Anglican Church Agulu at about 7 a.m. today.
The Anambra state Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang who was alerted quickly rushed to the scene with his men.
The State Fire Service department was equally on ground.
Meanwhile, another truck has been brought to transfer the contents, as the security officers had cordoned off the area to prevent casualties.
Alternative routes have been announced for motorists driving through the area.
More so, an update on the Omogba incident which occurred at about 3.30 am has revealed that no fewer than twenty 22 vehicles parked in two mechanic workshops and some along Udodi street Omogba were burnt while eight houses were also torched in addition to those burnt along Onitsha/Enugu expressway.
