Two persons were burnt to death, following a fire outbreak that occurred when a vehicle conveying gallons of Premium Motor Spirit, (Petrol) burst into flames.
Police accompanying the vehicle on Wednesday August 18th 2011, conveying the PMS sustained a high degree of burns and were reported to be in critical conditions.
It was gathered that the occupants of the vehicle, loaded with illegal petroleum products, were travelling from Port Harcourt to Ahoad, Ahoada east local government area when it collided with an oncoming vehicle, which resulted in the fire.
The victims who were occupants of the affected vehicles were burnt beyond recognition while a police officer, who was in the company of one of the vehicles was left with high degrees of burns.
The police officer, who is in critical condition is currently receiving treatments in an undisclosed hospital.
The State Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident but said he was yet to get details of the development.
Meanwhile, the Okrikans in Rivers State have begun moves to end the activities of illegally refined crude oil popularly called Kpo-fire in the waterfront communities of Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Okrika waterfront communities because of their proximity to Port Harcourt town have become major trade routes for illegally refined petroleum products especially AGO and PMS popularly known as Kpo-fire.
In an interview with one of those behind the move, the former head of waterfront chairmen, Sam Ateke said the move is aimed at preventing fire outbreaks in the waterfront communities.
Sam Ateke who is a staunch loyalist of King Ateke Tom said, “Kpo-fire business has been identified as a potential threat to the health and safe neighbourhood of the waterfront dwellers and must not continue in waterfront communities.
“We will do all we can to free our waterfront communities from Kpo-fire activities because we don’t want to hear fire outbreak again.
“We will start by sensitising our people who live in waterfront communities on the dangers of Kpo-fire in our neighbourhoods.
“Thereafter, we will identify the dealers of Kpo-fire in waterfront communities and engage them on the need to stop such business in our neighbourhood.
“The outcome of such engagement will determine the next step we will take but I can assure you that Kpo-fire activities will end in waterfront communities,” he said.
Though, it would be tough to end Kpo-fire activities in waterfront communities because the business has connectivity with some warlords from the Niger Delta Region.
