Some indigenes and residents of Ebeocha town, who were getting set for their various businesses, were jolted by the deafening sound of the explosion.
The people around the area became more scared because a similar explosion had occurred at the same point at about 10pm on Sunday.
Though the cause of the explosion could not be immediately ascertained, it was gathered that it might not be unconnected to the aging facilities (tanks) used in oil production and exploration.
An eyewitness told The PUNCH that no casualty was recorded as fire fighters from Agip and Total Exploration and Production firms had raced to the place to put out the inferno that emanated from the explosion.
"Nobody was injured and nobody died. When it happened, fire service men came almost immediately to fight the fire. We cannot really say what actually caused the explosion.
"We heard the first explosion in the night on Sunday before the second one that caused the fire outbreak," the eyewitness, who identified himself as Ella, said.
Speaking on the incident, the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Mr. Augustine Ahiamadu, dismissed speculations that the incident could be as a result of sabotage.
Ahiamadu, who said the cause of the fire could be mechanical, described the site where the incident happened as a high risk zone, added that the tanks were old and needed to be replaced.
The council chairman, however, said though two explosions occurred Sunday night, he would not be able to confirm if there was any casualty.
According to him, "It started yesterday (Sunday) night and they contained it. Early this morning, another explosion came up again. For now, we cannot ascertain anything because I am yet to be briefed officially.
"But I have told them that they need to do all they can to ensure that the incident is properly handled; and also to make sure that my people are secured."
Security operatives have since been drafted to the place, even as some people, who believed there would be more explosions, had begun to leave Ebeocha town.
- The Punch
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