By John Ugo
An explosion from a tanker laden with petroluem products has claimed two lives and destroyed 25 buildings in Delta state.
The incident occurred at Ohoror community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State.
It was gathered that no fewer than 25 houses and valuables worth millions of Naira were also razed by the fire.
The incident which occurred in the night in the community located along the Warri-Portharcout expressway involved two trucks.
The President-General of Uwheru Kingdom, Chief Macpherson Igbedi, made the disclosure while briefing the State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa during a visit to the scene of the fire incident.
Igbedi said that no fewer than 25 houses were gutted by the fire and appealed for more efforts in evacuating another abandoned tanker laden with gas from exploding.
He said two trucks conveying gas and diesel rammed into each other at the Ohoror junction which triggered the explosion.
In his remarks, the State Governor called for immediate assessment of the cause of the petroleum product tanker explosion.
Okowa, who commiserated with the community on the tragedy assured that government would take steps to cushion the effect of the inferno on victims.
He said that no effort would be spared in putting out the fire completely and directed the State Director of Fire Service to remain on the ground until the fire was completely extinguished and other oil trucks posing a threat to the community evacuated.
He commended the Fire Service for the prompt response and advised the community to keep off from the fire scene in addition to being vigilant to avoid loss of lives as the government was working hard to contain the spread of the explosion.
The state Director of Fire Services, Mr. Eugene Oziwele, told the governor that his men were alerted at dawn and quickly mobilized to the community.
Oziwele, added that fire-fighting trucks were mobilized from Ughelli to ensure that the fire was extinguished completely.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sherrif Oborevwori, and Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah.