Seven persons, including a family of five, were today roasted to death by the fire from a tanker that exploded in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The tanker crashed at Igwuruta Roundabout, which is on the way to the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The roundabout is a very busy one with residential and commercial buildings dotting the whole area.
It was learnt that the explosion of the tanker caught many of those around unawares, hence it became impossible for them to escape.
Many were trapped in the fire, which was described as very huge by eyewitnesses.
The Eagle Online gathered that the situation was made worse when angry youths, protesting the late arrival of fire fighters, prevented them from having access to the scene of the explosion on time.
The youths reportedly damaged two fire fighting vehicles during the protest.
The state Governor, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, has demanded for the actual casualty figure to enable government assist the affected families.
Sources said that Amaechi expressed sadness at the development.
The state’s Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Nwogu, said the youths of the area did not conduct themselves properly in their anger over the accident.
Nwogu said that if the youths had not damaged the fire fighting vehicles, the casualties would have been fewer.