Fire Razes 17 Tricycles, Two Petrol Tankers In Kano

Symbolic Photo

Fire Razes 17 Tricycles, Two Petrol Tankers in Kano: A Tale of Flames and Survival

On a fateful Tuesday night in Kano State, the calm of the evening was shattered by the roar of flames that consumed lives’ livelihoods in mere minutes. 

The Kano State Fire Service confirmed that seventeen tricycles and two petrol tankers were destroyed in two separate fire outbreaks at filling stations, leaving behind charred remains and shaken communities.

The first blaze erupted around 8:45 p.m. at AA Ayagi Filling Station in Kanye village, along Gwarzo Road in Kabo Local Government Area. A fuel tanker belonging to AA Ayagi Company, with registration number XPB 999 FA, had been offloading petrol when disaster struck. Two compartments of the tanker had already discharged into the underground tank, but the remaining three, holding thousands of litres of fuel, ignited. 

In seconds, the tanker was engulfed, and the fire spread with terrifying speed. Residents watched helplessly as the inferno devoured the station, the tanker, and nearby tricycles parked close to the premises.

As firefighters battled the flames, another tragedy unfolded miles away. At Al-Wahida Nigeria Limited petrol station in Rimin Kebe, Karshen Kwalta, Nassarawa Local Government Area, a second tanker belonging to BA Bello Company caught fire while offloading about 45,000 litres of fuel.

The blaze spread quickly, consuming sixteen tricycles, popularly known as Adaidaita Sahu, that were parked nearby. Though firefighters managed to contain the inferno before it spread further, the destruction was already immense.

The Kano State Fire Service, led by Public Relations Officer Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed that both incidents were contained after hours of intense firefighting. Yet, the aftermath was devastating: livelihoods lost, properties destroyed, and communities left in shock.

For many tricycle owners, their vehicles were not just machines but their only source of income. The destruction meant uncertainty, hardship, and the painful task of rebuilding from ashes.

Witnesses described the scenes as chaotic, flames lighting up the night sky, thick smoke choking the air, and the sound of explosions echoing across the neighborhoods. Panic spread quickly, but the bravery of firefighters prevented what could have been an even greater catastrophe. Their swift response saved underground fuel reserves from igniting, averting a disaster of unimaginable proportions.

This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers surrounding fuel handling and storage in Nigeria. It highlights the urgent need for stricter safety measures at filling stations, better regulation of tanker offloading procedures, and awareness among communities living near such facilities.

In Kano, the scars of that night remain vivid. The charred skeletons of tricycles and tankers stand as silent witnesses to the fury of fire, while the resilience of the people shines through their determination to rebuild. It is a story of loss, survival, and the unyielding spirit of a community that refuses to be broken by flames.