Fire engulfs Anambra filling station

Monday, March, 2 2026 - Residents, motorists, and passers-by were thrown into panic late on Saturday when a petroleum and cooking gas filling station, Oransonic Petrol Station – Ojoto, along the Oba–Nnewi New Road, Ojoto, Idemili South LGA of Anambra State, was engulfed in flames.

The fire broke out as a truck loaded with fuel was being opened for discharge, sparking widespread fear among residents and road users. The station is located a short distance from a popular prayer house, Nwereowe Healing Centre.

A video circulating on social media showed the station engulfed in fire while panicked residents and passers-by fled for safety. The inferno affected the station building, four pumping units, adjoining shops, and the nearby prayer house.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the fire originated around the main underground petroleum discharge tank, raising concerns about the scale of potential damage. At the time, no firefighters were on the scene, and filling station staff were seen making frantic efforts to contain the blaze.

A passer-by, identified simply as “Mama Uzor,” said: “We just saw the fire at the filling station popularly known as Oransonic station. It suddenly started when a truck loaded with fuel was being opened for discharge.

“It was a black Saturday at the station.

The fire destroyed all four pumping units, affected the station building, adjoining shops, and the nearby prayer house. We learnt that the truck carrying the fuel burst into flames, immediately igniting a fire that destroyed property within the premises.”

No casualties were reported at the time of filing this report. Passers-by and neighbours were said to have mobilised quickly to help quench the flames.

When contacted on Sunday, the Media Unit of the station, led by Chukwudi Chiketa, promised to make enquiries and provide more details on the incident. As of the time of filing in this report, they were not able to send the update.