Tragedy: Petrol tanker explosion: houses, cars, churches burnt in Rivers

Tragedy struck when a tanker conveying petroleum product suspected to be gasoline overturned and exploded in the early hours of Thursday around Eliozu Bridge on G. U. Ake road, Obio-Akpor Local Government area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The explosion destroyed properties worth millions of Naira. It was not yet clear whether there are casualties as at the time of filing this report as it was feared that the explosion might have caught residents of the area in their sleep.

The members of Rivers State fire Service were the first to arrive the scene. An event and catering center worth over N500 million was burnt by the fire.

The explosion caused serious traffic gridlock as people rushing to their various places of work were caught in the incident.

The tanker explosion, which is the second in less than four months at the same spot, has burnt houses, cars, churches located within the immediate vicinity.

Firemen were still battling to put out the fire as at 6.00am.