A petroleum and cooking gas filling station, popularly known as Chill Cherry, was gutted by fire on Thursday morning along the Bukuru Expressway in Jos, Plateau State.
The affected station is located close to the Jos South Local Government Secretariat, near the Gyro Roundabout, a busy area that witnesses heavy vehicular movement.
Witnesses said the fire started around the underground petroleum discharge tank, raising fears of a major explosion due to the presence of both fuel and cooking gas facilities.
At the early stage of the incident, no firefighters were seen at the scene, as staff of the filling station made frantic efforts to contain the raging flames.
The outbreak triggered panic among customers, motorists, and passers-by, many of whom fled the area for fear of losing their lives.
An eyewitness, identified as Maman, said residents noticed the fire early in the morning and immediately raised alarm as the flames intensified.
Another witness reported seeing emergency responder vehicles rushing towards the scene, expressing hope that swift action would help contain the situation and prevent further damage.
Confirming the incident, the Plateau State spokesperson of the Federal Fire Service, CSF E.E. Anzolo, said firefighters were on ground to manage the fire, adding that the cause of the inferno had yet to be determined.
