A fuel tanker conveying diesel caught fire on Friday, 26 December 2025, while offloading its contents at Rain Oil Filling Station in Tumfure, a commercial district in Gombe, the capital city of Gombe State in northeastern Nigeria.
The incident triggered swift emergency action from the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Nigeria’s national firefighting and emergency response agency, whose Gombe State Command deployed personnel immediately after receiving a distress call.
Okay News reports that the rapid response by the firefighters prevented the fire from escalating into a large-scale disaster, particularly given the sensitive nature of the area where the incident occurred.
Speaking on the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Command, Assistant Superintendent of Fire, Mohammed B. Muazu, said the professionalism and speed of the officers ensured that the tanker was not completely consumed by flames.
“Upon receiving the distress call, our officers were immediately mobilised to the scene. Through timely and professional intervention, the fire was successfully contained, averting a potentially catastrophic situation,” Muazu stated.
He explained that the location of the filling station heightened the danger, noting that the area is surrounded by other petroleum facilities, busy commercial centres, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Depot in Tumfure, a key fuel distribution hub serving parts of northeastern Nigeria.
“The affected area is a highly sensitive commercial environment. Our swift response prevented a possible chain reaction that could have affected nearby facilities and properties estimated at over ₦500,000,000,” he said.
Muazu confirmed that no casualties were recorded, describing the outcome as evidence of the Federal Fire Service’s preparedness and commitment to protecting lives and property across Nigeria.
He further cautioned operators of filling stations and other petroleum facilities to strictly comply with safety regulations, especially during the discharge of petroleum products, to avoid preventable emergencies.
“We urge operators of filling stations and petroleum facilities to always adhere strictly to safety standards to prevent avoidable incidents of this nature,” he added.
The Federal Fire Service spokesperson also commended the Nigeria Police Force, Tumfure Division, and the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s domestic intelligence and security agency, for providing security and support during the operation.
“The cooperation and security cover provided by officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS greatly assisted our personnel in effectively carrying out their duties,” Muazu said.
Residents and business operators in the area were reported to have resumed normal activities after the situation was fully brought under control.
The incident comes days after a deadly fuel tanker explosion occurred on Thursday, 25 December 2025, along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city and economic hub, where two people lost their lives when a fully loaded 33,000-litre petrol tanker exploded near the Oto-Ijanikin axis, close to the Lagos State University of Education.
