Fuel Tanker Bursts Into Flames In Rumuolumeni …One Burnt To Death

An unidentified middle aged man was last night burnt beyond recognition when a petrol tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit burst into flame along the Rumuolumeni-Iwofe road in Obio/Akpor local Government Area of Rivers State.
Eye witnesses informed The Tide that the tanker which allegedly belongs to the African Petroleum (AP) fell across the road while dodging potholes.
The fire which also razed no fewer than four vehicles and pulled down high tension lines of the Power Holding Company, has further added to the misery of residents of the area who were cut off from economic activities for one week following the protests by youths of the area as a result of the state of the Rumuolumeni-Iwofe road.
When The Tide visited the area, the fire fighters were seen battling to put off the inferno.
Some residents of the area who spoke to The Tide blamed the incident on the poor state of the road which they described as a death trap.
President of the Rumuolumeni Youth Council, Mr. Noble Nnamdi Olegbele said the situation was horrible as vehicles now avoided the Iwofe road as a result of the sorry state of the road.
Olegele also commended the State Fire Service for their swift response to the incident and urged the contractor working on the road to expedite action to save the people, noting that the area has been virtually cut off from the rest of the state.
Others who spoke also appealed to the State government to urgently address the problem by monitoring the contractor to expedite action on the road.

Scene of petrol tanker in flames