Two people were killed and two others were injured on Monday when a fire broke out at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja. The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has confirmed that the fire was caused by an explosion at a diesel tank on the premises.
According to jerrymusa.com Mrs. Nkechi Isa, FEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, made the announcement.
According to Isa, a five-man team from the JMD firm was servicing two MIKANO generators in the High Commission’s generator building when a diesel tank exploded at around 10:45 a.m.
“A tank holding 2,000 litres of diesel in the generator building exploded, knocking out one of the generators while the other was being serviced.
“Two of the personnel servicing the generator died from the explosion, while two others survived with severe burns and were taken to the Trauma Centre at the National Hospital, Abuja,” she said.
Around 12.30 p.m., the fire was brought under control by the FCT Fire Service, and ambulances from the Ministry of Defence, the Federal Fire Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency were standing by.
Acting FEMA Director-General, Mr. Mohammed Sabo, has issued a warning to the public about the dangers of improperly handling petroleum products as the dry season approaches.
In the event of a natural disaster or other emergency, Sabo urged locals to always dial 112.