Times Of Swaziland: PETROL PUMP BURSTS INTO FLAMES

PETROL PUMP BURSTS INTO FLAMES
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BY ANDILE NSIBANDE  on 19/03/2019 07:38:00


NHLANGANO – A petrol pump burst into flames at a filling station in Nhlangano,
causing untold panic.
The incident occurred at Puma Filling station, which is located right at the
centre of the small town, shortly after 10am, causing dozens of people to run
helter-skelter in fear for their lives.
No one seems to be certain about what might have caused the fire, but some even
suggested that yesterday’s scorcher could have contributed.
Narrating the events leading to the incident, a petrol attendant said he was
standing nearby the pumps with colleagues when they suddenly heard strange
sounds coming from the direction of two metal pipes situated next to one of the
petrol pumps.
There are three petrol pumps at the filling station, but no one was filling up
any car when the petrol attendants suddenly had spark-like sounds coming from
the pipes.
“We were all asking ourselves what was happening when all of a sudden there
was a thick cloud of smoke coming out of one of the petrol pumps. Within
moments, it burst into flames. At the time, everyone seemed to be running away
and I also joined in fear for my life,” he narrated.
A convenience shop, which is also part of the filling station, had to close
immediately after the pump burst into flames. The same situation prevailed for
other business establishments situated closer to the filling station, including
a pharmacy.
Surprise
Patel Mohammed, who runs the nearby pharmacy, said the sudden turn of events
took them by surprise. Mohammed explained that he was completely baffled as to
how the fire was ignited as there was no one close to the pumps at the time.
He said the reaction was spontaneous, as he found himself handing out a fire
extinguisher in a bid to put out the flames.
At that moment some people were running away, while curious individuals tried to
move closer in order to ascertain what was happening.
“We all panicked because it was a filling station burning, and we were afraid
there could be a huge explosion. So, we tried to put out the fire with our
chemical extinguishers but to no avail.
“However, I must give credit to the Fire and Emergency Personnel for their
swift response,” remarked Mohammed.