Society Gists

For the prompt intervention of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc’s state-of-the-art fire fighting truck and trained firemen, fire would have caused a lot of havoc in Lagos on Friday afternoon, SocietyGists reports.

According to eyewitnesses, the inferno which occurred in front of Oando gas station just opposite the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) in the Obalende area of Lagos started at about 3:30 pm.

It was gathered that the 45,000 capacity petrol tanker belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which was laden with premium motor spirit (PMS) upturned while negotiating a bend.

This newspaper further learnt that after efforts by officials of the Lagos State Fire Service and Federal Fire Service failed due to lack of water and effective equipments, the UBA fire service arrived to help put out the fire which had engulfed the Oando fuel station close to it and was almost getting to the adjoining buildings around it.

Evidently better equipped, they swung into action to the delight of all gathered to put off the fire in no time.

Eyewitnesses at the scene were full of praise for the bank who they said helped avert yet another Disaster.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) in a statement by its director-general, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said a fire fighter (not UBA fire official) was badly injured while combating the fire and had been moved to the Lagos State General Hospital for treatment while 15 minor injuries received medical attention at the scene.

UBA had acquired the state-of-the-art fire fighting truck, capable of fighting fire incidents in all conditions in 2010.

According to the lender, the NAFFCO fire truck machine, a 6×4-wheel-drive Mercedes Benz Actross 3332, is equipped with auxiliary shift for easy maneuvering in all conditions.

Some of the features of the truck include delivery outlets and an output of 8000 litre per minute, equipped with RME 200 Hale, an American centrifugal type with normal pressure. It also has capability to use water and foam to fight fire. Foam is the only fire extinguisher that can fight combustible liquid like diesel, kerosene and various industrial oil with little or no health hazard.

Other features designed to guarantee the safety of the firemen and people trapped during a fire outbreak, according to the bank, include a monitor with which the driver can engage high rise fire, even without the assistance of firemen since it can cover 270 degrees; a search light that can illuminate any dark vicinity caused by smoke, thus making fire fighting very easy, even in obscured scenes; several life support firefighting equipment like breathing apparatus, fire suit, headgear, eye protection goggles and leather safety boots.