Hours after the Lagos State Fire Service reported a fire at an NNPC terminal in the Apapa area, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has clarified that there was no fire at its depot.
In a swift response to the earlier report, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, stated, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that there was no fire incident at its depot as circulated by early responders.”
Instead, Soneye revealed that the fire incident actually occurred at a nearby depot belonging to HOGL Energy Ltd (Honeywell Depot). “The fire, which has since been extinguished, was as a result of petroleum products spillage within the perimeter of the tank farm,” he explained.
NNPCL assured the public that the incident would not affect petroleum products supply and distribution across the country. “Meanwhile, NNPC Ltd and other depots in the area have resumed loading activities. NNPC assures that the incident will, in no way, affect petroleum products supply and distribution across the country,” Soneye added.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service had earlier reported that a fire incident occurred at an NNPC terminal in the Apapa area, causing concerns about the safety of petroleum products and facilities. However, with NNPCL’s clarification, it is now clear that the incident occurred at a nearby depot and not at NNPC’s facility.
The incident has been brought under control, and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.