Police dispel explosion scare at ASCON Petrol Station

THE Lagos State Police Command has dispelled the rumours that the fire outbreak at ASCON Oil Petrol Station at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos was caused by explosion.

The Police spokesman in Lagos, Mr. Ken Nwosu told newsmen at his office in GRA, Ikeja, the fire outbreak ‘was not too serious’.

Rumours had spread like wild fire at some quarters in the metropolis alleging that an explosion triggered the fire.

According to Nwosu, “There was nothing like an explosion at the petrol station. It was a mere fire outbreak and fire fighters contained it. Our men were on the ground to ensure that nothing was looted. The cause of fire is still being investigated.”

The Guardian gathered that the management of the ASCON Oil Company might have lost a whooping N50million to the inferno.

A source in the company told The Guardian that the incident was simply ‘a handiwork of saboteurs.

Some trucks and other vehicles were razed by the fire but the building housing the petrol station and the petrol dispensing meters were not affected by the fire.

A statement released by the management of the company read: “The fire incident at ASCON Oil Filling Station at Lekki Phase 1 had been contained. Contrary to earlier speculations, the main building and the reservoirs were unaffected. The incident emanated from a discharge at the point of offloading product from a tanker, engulfing two tankers and some vehicles parked by the roadside.

“It was an accident compounded by the current fuel scarcity in the country with ASCON Oil being one of the few stations with a reliable steady supply even in times of scarcity. No life was lost to the incident, the pumps are intact and emergency fire service officers had contained.

“ASCON Oil wishes to reaffirm its commitment to serving its customers even in the face of accidents of this nature for which a company of its pedigree is always prepared.

Residents and passers-by showed solidarity with the company as they contributed in no small way to contain the flames.”