Panic gripped residents of Ifite-Awka in Anambra State on Monday, March 2, 2026, after a fire outbreak erupted at a filling station along the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, forcing nearby residents and traders to flee for safety.
The incident occurred in the early afternoon at a petrol station located near the popular Aroma Junction axis of Awka. Eyewitnesses said thick plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky, triggering widespread panic as motorists abandoned their vehicles and shop owners hurriedly shut down their businesses.
According to residents, the fire reportedly started while a fuel tanker was discharging Premium Motor Spirit into one of the station’s underground storage tanks. Witnesses alleged that a sudden spark, suspected to have originated from a nearby power generator, ignited the highly flammable vapour, causing a rapid spread of flames across the forecourt.
Officials of the Anambra State Fire Service were alerted shortly after the blaze began. The State Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed that emergency responders were deployed from the Awka fire station within minutes of receiving a distress call at approximately 1:15 p.m. He stated that firefighters battled the inferno for over an hour before bringing it under control.
Chiketa said preliminary findings indicated that the fire was contained before it could reach nearby residential buildings and adjoining shops, averting what could have escalated into a major disaster in the densely populated neighborhood. He commended residents for quickly evacuating the area and security operatives for cordoning off the scene to allow emergency crews unrestricted access.
Personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps were also deployed to manage traffic along the busy expressway and prevent onlookers from gathering near the scene. Traffic was temporarily diverted, leading to significant congestion stretching toward Unizik Junction and the Amawbia axis.
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, confirmed that no fatalities were recorded as of Monday evening but noted that two station attendants sustained minor injuries and were treated at a nearby private hospital in Awka. He added that a joint investigation had been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess compliance with safety regulations.
Local traders in the vicinity described the experience as terrifying. Mrs. Ngozi Eze, who operates a grocery store opposite the filling station, said she heard a loud explosion-like sound before seeing flames shoot upward. “Everyone started running. We feared the underground tanks might explode,” she recounted.
Officials from the Anambra State Ministry of Environment and the Department of Petroleum Resources were reportedly notified to conduct safety inspections and evaluate the extent of structural damage. Authorities indicated that the filling station would remain sealed pending the outcome of investigations and a comprehensive safety review.
Fire safety experts have repeatedly warned about the risks associated with fuel discharge operations, particularly in high-traffic urban areas like Awka, where residential, commercial, and transport activities converge within limited space. Monday’s incident renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety standards at petroleum retail outlets across Anambra State.
As of 6:30 p.m. on March 2, 2026, emergency responders had fully extinguished the blaze, though smoke residues lingered in the area. Residents gradually returned to their homes under the watch of security personnel, while authorities assured the public that further updates would be provided as investigations continue.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety compliance at fuel stations in rapidly urbanizing Nigerian cities, as authorities in Anambra State reiterate their commitment to preventing future occurrences and safeguarding lives and property.
