Illegal Kano oil depot fire kills one, destroys houses, truck

One person died on Monday, while a truck and four houses were burnt following a fire outbreak at an illegal refinery and engine oil depot in the Katango area of Wailari, along Ring Road Bypass, in the Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, said the fire which started around 9.50am, took the personnel of the Kano State Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency and fire workers from Salbas Petrol Station more than three hours before they could bring the fire under control.

The fire PRO added that the dead body, which was burnt beyond recognition, was recovered from the debris by the fire service personnel.

It was gathered that the place, which is located in the midst of residential houses, is used to keep scraps of trucks and trailers in addition to storing fuel and refining used engine oil for other purposes.

“No one can say whether the place is used for refining of used engine oil or storing fuel and other related commodities.

“So, no one can say what exactly happened that led to the fire but the person that died was trapped in the fire and burnt beyond recognition,”Abdullahi said.

He advised residents to always take precautionary measures in order to prevent fire outbreak especially in the present harmattan season.