Calabar Filling Station Fire Damages Five Vehicles, Two Shops as Police Begin Probe

A Calabar filling station at Scanobo Filling Station along Ikot Ekpo, 8 Miles, Cross River State, damaged five vehicles and two nearby shops on Thursday, October 15, prompting a police investigation into the cause of the incident.

The fire reportedly broke out at about 4 p.m. The Cross River State Police Command confirmed that no lives were lost and said the blaze was brought under control about 20 minutes after the incident was reported.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, a concerned resident alerted the divisional police officer responsible for the area. Police personnel were subsequently deployed to the scene.

Officers cordoned off the affected location and assisted with efforts to control the fire. The police said preliminary information suggested that a gas explosion within the filling station may have triggered the incident, although the exact cause has not been established.

The command said it had launched an investigation in collaboration with the Cross River State Fire Service to determine the circumstances surrounding the outbreak. It added that further information would be released as the investigation progresses.

Thursday’s incident occurred about seven months after another fire at a gas station in the Edibe-Edibe area of Calabar South. That earlier incident reportedly left residents injured and damaged homes and other properties.

The latest fire has renewed concerns about the safety of fuel and gas outlets located close to homes, shops and other businesses. However, the circumstances surrounding the Scanobo Filling Station incident remain under investigation.

The police urged residents and business operators to observe fire-safety precautions, report emergencies promptly and cooperate with emergency responders. Members of the public were also advised not to interfere with ongoing investigations.