Governor vows free treatment and compensation as police confirm dozens burned in explosion sparked by leaking hose at city gas station.
Calabar: At least 38 persons sustained varying degrees of burns in a devastating gas explosion that tore through Edibe Edibe Street in Calabar South Local Government Area on Saturday, razing a filling station, vehicles, and nearby residential buildings.
Governor Bassey Otu, who visited the scene with members of his cabinet, described the incident as “shocking” and “unfortunate,” promising immediate government intervention. “We are saying free medical treatment for those affected, and we will look at compensation to help people get back to their lives as quickly as possible,” he assured.
Police spokesman ASP Sunday Eitokpah confirmed the casualty figure, noting that no deaths had been recorded so far. He explained that the blast occurred around 10:00 a.m. when a gas attendant attempted to transfer fuel from a storage tank to a service tank. A detached hose triggered a rapid leak, engulfing the densely populated area in flames before residents could be warned.
The inferno consumed major sections of the station, including its fuel dump, while victims were rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
Emergency response was hampered as the Federal Fire Service reported its trucks were out of service due to vandalism and maintenance issues. Director of the Cross River Fire Service, Emmanuel Ajom, admitted their 14‑year‑old trucks were undergoing repairs at the time.
Governor Otu stressed that such facilities should not be sited in residential areas and pledged swift measures to prevent future tragedies.