An explosion occurred at an illegal used engine oil modular refinery situated in a densely populated zone within Kano metropolis, leading to the death of one person and causing injuries to several others on Monday.
Several houses were razed in the incident that took place at the Katango area of Wailari, situated along Ring Road Bypass, opposite Maryam Shekarau Estate, in Kano.
The fire reportedly started around 09:50 am
It took about three hours for the Kano State Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and firefighters from Salbas Petrol Station to gain control over the fire.
A dead body, burned beyond recognition, was later found among the debris.
The deceased was recognized as Aminu, the driver responsible for transporting drums of used engine oil.
An eyewitness, Ahmad Umar Gaya, employed with the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), recalled being on road duty at the time of the explosion
Narrating what happened, Gaya said, “I immediately called the attention of the Kano Fire Service and directed them to the location
“The place, which is located in the midst of residential houses at Katango in Wailari, is used to stock scraps of trucks and trailers and also to refine used engine oil for other purposes
“No one can tell what exactly happened that led to the explosion. The trailer carrying drums of used engine oil was gutted by the fire in which the driver was trapped and burnt beyond recognition
” Close to the location were residential houses with women and children, and about five houses were gutted by the inferno.
“An old lady who could not walk was rescued from one of the houses and two kids were also rescued from another house when their mother ran out and left them inside, all through humanitarian efforts by onlookers. The fire incident took about three hours before it was put out.”
Kanyi Daily recalls that to foster unity and ensure a secure environment in Kano State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) had entered into a peace agreement with the Kano State Police Force.
