Incident Report

Subject:                     Warri Loading Rack Fire - 1 Male Victim

Date of Email report:   Mon 16/05/2011

Report Detail:

Nigeria - Fresh fuel scarcity looms in Delta and other states in the Southsouth as the Warri Depot of the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) was yesterday shut down following Monday afternoon’s explosion and fire outbreak at the loading bay.  The depot serves as the evacuation port for petroleum produced at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company as well as product imported through the company’s Jetty in the oil city. It was gathered that at least one person, identified as a motor boy for one of the four tankers razed by the fire, died in the inferno that engulfed the facility. 

At least one other person is in critical condition resulting from sever burns from the explosion. The Divisional Police Officer, Ekpan Police Station, Mr. Mohammed Mu’Azu confirmed the death but said the identity of the male victim was yet to be confirmed.  The Depot Manager, Mr. Sunday Edegbo, announced the closure of the facility when the state Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr. David Ekereokosu, visited the scene yesterday.  Edegbo, who narrated his experience, said, “I was in the office yesterday when we had a large explosion. We evacuated our staff; the whole place was engulfed with fire.

We are still investigating the actual cause; we have not been able to establish what caused the fire incident. Committees have been set up and we are trying to get back to operation as soon as possible.” “There are various plans, plans for 48 hours, plans for two weeks and various committees have been set up over the incident. I want to assure the public that there is no need to panic for now because we are working for early resumption of our operations.”

Additional Documentation: