An early morning firebreak gutted Fonex petrol station in Itam, near Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital with a truck-load of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) going up in flames.
A thick smoke from the fire covered the area as fire service personnel battled the outbreak for hours with no end in sight.
Motorists plying Itam-ikot Ada Idem road which is along Ikot Ekpene-Uyo road, told NewsNGR that firefighters responded a few hours after the fire started but were overwhelmed by the extent and intensity of the fire.
‘What we are afraid of is , it should not result in a loss of life, the property and resources lost, might be regained but we don’t want any human life to be affected, ” one motorist said
When NewsNGR visited the filling station, the fire outbreak had attracted a large crowd of people who milled around the area stretching many meters.
It was observed that only the firefighters were the only people making frantic efforts to bring the fire under control.
A police vehicle was seen nearby , it was not clear whether police officers were invited following the incident.
The cause of the fire outbreak was not known.
The state police command public relations officer, DSP Timfon John could not be reached for her comments.