One person has died and another sustained severe burns following a fuel tanker fire at Maase-Adubinsu near the lorry station in the Ashanti Region on Thursday.
The fire destroyed the tanker, including its fuel-laden bulk and head, eight containers, a residential building and an unserviceable vehicle along with its contents. Firefighters, however, managed to salvage six containers through swift intervention.
The incident occurred around midday when a petrol tanker reportedly suffered brake failure while ascending a small hill, leading to a fatal crash and subsequent fire outbreak.
According to preliminary findings, the tanker’s bulk detached and struck a low-tension electricity pole, causing power cables to fall onto the vehicle. The tanker then crashed and burst into flames.
Firefighters from the Mamponteng and Bremang Fire Stations responded to a distress call received at 12:07 p.m. The first fire appliance, led by Station Officer II Isaac Bissah, arrived at the scene at 12:26 p.m.
The combined efforts of the two fire crews brought the blaze under control at 1:09 p.m. and fully extinguished it at 1:27 p.m.
The driver of the tanker became trapped in the vehicle and died in the inferno. His assistant, who sustained severe burns, was rescued and rushed to the Tafo Government Hospital for medical treatment.
The charred body of the driver was later handed over to the police and transported to the St. Patrick Hospital morgue in Offinso for preservation and autopsy.
Authorities have launched investigations to determine the exact cause of the fire.
The Ghana National Fire Service commended partner agencies for their support during the emergency response. Firefighters completed salvage operations and returned safely to base later in the afternoon.
Source : www.kumasimail.com
