Explosion rocks petrol tank farm in Rivers

An explosion rocked a tank farm at the Abonema Wharf, Port Harcourt, River State, sparking a fire outbreak that razed properties and goods worth millions of naira on Saturday.

Rivers State government blamed residents who use the makeshift buildings to store petroleum products and other inflammable substances for being responsible for the explosion that caused the fire outbreak. The government noted that petroleum products and other inflammable substances can spark fire at the slightest mistake.

The Commissioner for Energy in Rivers State, Dr. Peter Medee, was said to have disclosed that the state government is already contemplating to demolish makeshift buildings adjacent to locations of petroleum tank farms.

Victims are counting their losses but may not be entitled to any compensation or support as they erected illegal structures in the environment.