The Cross River Police Command have reported that nine people lost their life in a fire outbreak that happened at Linc Oil and Gas tank farm at around on Sunday morning.
Hafiz Inuwa, the state commissioner of police, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen at the scene of the incident.
Inuwa added that several other persons sustained injuries and currently being treated in one of the hospitals in Calabar.
He added that the manager of the depot is yet to brief the police on what led to the explosion.
“Up until now, nobody has come out to tell us that this is what caused the fire outbreak,” he said.
“We have gone round, we have done what we can do but investigation will later reveal what actually led to the explosion.
“For now, nine people are confirmed dead and many others who sustained different burns are currently receiving treatment in one of the hospitals around town.”
Officials from the Cross State Emergency Management Agency were on ground to assess the extent of damages caused by the explosion.
The fire outbreak was said to have also affected the high tension cable connecting the depot’s electricity transformer, “while two vehicles and other important equipment were also burnt to ashes”.
The depot Manager refused to speak with newsmen, saying that he was not authorised to speak at the moment.
“As we speak right now, the vessel that brought in our new product is just by the port here. Some of our staff were discharging the old product from the tank with a view to bring in the new one when the fire outbreak occurred,” he was quoted to have said.
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