A major fire outbreak caused panic in Jos on Wednesday after a petroleum and cooking gas filling station along the busy Bukuru Expressway was engulfed in flames.
Scene of Panic on Bukuru Expressway
The incident occurred at the station popularly known as Chill Cherry, located a few miles from the Jos South Local Government Secretariat near the Gyero Roundabout. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire, which started in the early hours of Wednesday, 15 January 2026, originated around the facility's major underground petroleum discharge tank.
Given that the station also operates a cooking gas outlet, the situation triggered intense fear. Customers and passers-by fled the area for their safety, as the potential for a larger explosion was a grave concern. Initial reports indicated that professional firefighters were not immediately present, with staff of the station seen making frantic efforts to control the raging inferno themselves.
Emergency Response Confirmed
Mr. E.E. Anzolo, the spokesperson for the Federal Fire Service in Plateau State, later confirmed the incident in a telephone interview. He assured the public that emergency responders were actively on the ground to manage the crisis.
"Men of Plateau State Fire Service are on the ground to handle the situation," Anzolo stated. This prompt response highlights the operational synergy between federal and state fire service agencies in Plateau State during emergencies.
Cause and Impact Still Unclear
As of the time the initial report was filed, the exact cause of the inferno had not been ascertained. The scale of damage to the facility and potential economic impact remains to be fully evaluated.
A passer-by, who gave his name as Haruna, simply said, "We just saw the fire this morning," capturing the sudden and alarming nature of the event. The incident has raised ongoing concerns about safety protocols at facilities handling highly flammable materials in populated areas.
