The fuel tanker that overturned at the Potsin Junction on Winneba – Accra highway on Tuesday, March 17, 2024 injured twelve of the firefighters who were battling the blaze.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) had already brought the initial fire under control and were carrying out cooling operations to prevent a recurrence.
A statement from the GNFS said: “Out of the injured personnel, four sustained severe injuries, while the eight others who sustained minor injuries were treated on site by the Ambulance Service team.”
The tanker, with registration number GT 5671-22, was transporting 54,000 litres of petrol when it caught fire under circumstances that are yet to be established.
According to the GNFS, a distress call was received at 5:58 a.m., prompting the dispatch of fire tenders from Apam and Kasoa, supported by a private water tanker. Firefighters arrived at the scene at about 6:26 a.m. to find the vehicle engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading rapidly to nearby properties.
It took nearly two hours for the crews to bring the inferno under control, preventing what could have been a far more devastating outcome for surrounding communities and infrastructure. The driver and his mate managed to escape unhurt.
However, the situation took a dangerous turn during the cooling phase. “However, during cooling operations aimed at preventing re-ignition and possible second explosion, the tanker re-ignited and subsequently exploded resulting in injuries to the 12 fire fighters,” the statement said.
Three of the injured personnel were rushed to the Winneba Trauma Specialist Hospital, while another received treatment at the Potsin Polyclinic. The remaining eight were treated at the scene. All the injured have since been treated and discharged.
Senior officers, including the Central Regional Fire Officer, ACFO Merinder Mary Atigah Mensah, and the Director of Operations, Roberta Aggrey Ghanson, visited the injured firefighters and commended their bravery.
After the incident, firefighters remained at the scene as efforts continued to safely transfer the remaining fuel from the damaged tanker into another vehicle to avert further danger.
The GNFS expressed appreciation to all agencies and individuals who assisted in containing the fire, reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property while also emphasising concern for the safety and welfare of its personnel.
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