Panic As Fire Guts Gas Plant In Rivers

A gas plant located in the Rumuokurusi axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, went up in flames early yesterday morning, causing panic among residents and business owners in the area.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 5.am when most people were still asleep.
Residents said they woke up after hearing people shouting from the location of the gas facility owned by Hydropet Oil Services Limited.
A shop owner in the area who simply gave her name as Grace, said she saw the fire when she woke up around 5:20 am.
She stated, “So I quickly came out to the road leading to Eneka, lo and behold it was Hydropet gas plant that was on fire. The fire was huge. I was so afraid because My shop is close to that place.”
At about 9 am, men of the Federal Fire Service were still trying to put out the fire.
The Tide learnt that it was the Shell fire service that extinguished the fire which lasted for about four hours.
Meanwhile, many residents and business owners thronged out to catch a glimpse of the fire, while some expressed worry over a possible explosion.
Scores of policemen and the fire service team cordoned off the area with red lights and prevented vehicles from further accessing the road.