VIDEO: UBA fire fighters put out raging inferno at Oando filling station
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) on Friday deployed its professional fire fighters to the scene of the burning filling station (Oando) at Obalende in Lagos to help put off the fire which was about extending to other facilities in the area.
According to the bank’s spokesman, Nasir Ramon who spoke with Newsclickng.com, the fire started at 3.30 pm when a tanker about to discharge fuel at the station fell and caught fire. The fire engulfed the station and was almost extending to adjoining buildings before the arrival of the UBA fire fighters.
Recall that the bank in 2010 acquired a state-of-the-art fire fighting truck, capable of fighting fire incidents in all conditions. The vehicle, acquired by the bank, among other advanced fire fighting machines, is in further demonstration of its commitment to ensuring a safe and conducive working environment at all times.
The then Group Director of Resources of the bank, who is now Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said during the testing of the equipment in Lagos that the NAFFCO Fire truck machine, a 6 x 4 wheel drive Mercedes Benz Actross 3332, is equipped with auxiliary shift for easy maneuvering in all conditions.
Uzoka noted that though the truck was bought for the bank’s internal use, it will however be available to complement the services of public fire fighting agencies in Lagos and its environs.
“As often demonstrated in our various safety in our work place initiatives, including our regular fire drill services, this new acquisition will strength our capability to respond to emergencies,” Uzoka explained.
Mr. Anthony Ezeani, UBA’s Chief Fire Officer, listed features of the truck to include; delivery outlets and an output of 8000 litre per minute, equipped with RME 200 Hale, an American centrifugal type with normal pressure. The vehicle, according to Ezeani, has capability to use water and foam to fight fire. Foam is the only fire extinguisher that can fight combustible liquid like diesel, kerosene and various industrial oil with little or no health hazard.
Other features designed to guarantee the safety of the firemen and people trapped during a fire outbreak, according to him, include a monitor with which the driver can engage high rise fire, even without the assistance of firemen since it can cover 270 degrees; a search light that can illuminate any dark vicinity caused by smoke, thus making fire fighting very easy, even in obscured scenes; several life support firefighting equipment like breathing apparatus, fire suit, headgear, eye protection goggles and leather safety boots.
