Deadly Friday: Three Killed in Kano Tanker Crash

Tragedy struck Kano State on Friday as two separate incidents of fire and accidents were reported, leading to the loss of three lives. The most severe incident involved a petrol tanker crash that resulted in a fatal fire in the Kura Local Government Area.

The details of the twin disasters were released in a statement on Saturday by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi.

The first disaster occurred around 1:30 p.m. when the Fire Service received a distress call about a major crash at the Kura market junction along Zaria Road. Firefighters rushed to the scene to find a petrol tanker, carrying approximately 30,000 liters of fuel, had overturned and immediately burst into flames.

The massive fire engulfed the area and struck a cyclist who was on the road at the time of the crash. The Fire Service confirmed that four people were affected in the tanker incident.

“Three of the victims were found unconscious and were later confirmed dead, while the cyclist managed to escape alive,” the statement confirmed. The victims’ remains were later handed over to the Kura Police Division.

Firefighters worked swiftly with the Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to bring the raging inferno under control. Two fire trucks were deployed to the scene, and the cause of the tanker crash remains under official investigation.

In a separate fire incident, the control room received a call around 2:45 p.m. reporting a fire at Hamisu Plaza on Maiduguri Road in Taruni Local Government Area.

Firefighters arrived to find the upper floor of a two-storey commercial building, measuring about 200 by 200 feet, already on fire. Despite the intensity of the blaze, the team managed to save two shops and successfully prevented the fire from spreading to the remaining structures on the first and ground floors.

The fire ultimately destroyed three shops in the commercial building. A fire truck stationed at a nearby trade fair was deployed to assist with the operation. The cause of this fire is also currently being investigated.

Alhaji Sani Anas, the Director of the Kano State Fire Service, issued a public safety advisory following the incidents. He urged residents to be “extra careful,” especially as the harmattan season increases fire risks due to the dry, dusty conditions. He appealed to motorists to drive calmly and adhere to traffic rules to prevent future accidents and loss of life.