12 fuel tankers destroyed in Ashaiman Tanker Yard blaze
Twelve fuel tankers went up in flames when fire engulfed a fuel storage depot at Ashaiman Timber Market, near Tema, yesterday.
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Fourteen other tankers at the Finese Oil Tanker Yard, located behind the Ashaiman Timber Market, however, were saved from the blaze as a result of the swift intervention by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
As of the time of going to press, it was unclear what must have caused the inferno, but firefighters gave an indication that the fire might have been caused by an attempt to transfer fuel from one tanker to another.
It took 11 fire engines from the Tema area, one from the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), a turn-table ladder and 35 firemen from the GNFS to bring the three-hour blaze under control.
No casualties
There were no casualties.
One firefighter who sustained a cut on the finger, according to the National Ambulance Service crew on duty, was taken to the Tema General Hospital for further treatment.
Briefing journalists at the scene, a Deputy Fire Officer in charge of Operations, Mr William Jesse Mensah, said the service received a call about 1.05 p.m., adding that on arrival at the tanker yard, firemen realised that the blaze was very intense and so they had to call in reinforcement.
He said firefighters managed to put out the fire after hours of effort.
He advised tanker drivers and operators to desist from transferring products, since it was a risky venture to undertake.
Meanwhile, the GNFS has launched investigations into the incident.
