A HUGE inferno engulfed the loading gantry of the Tema Oil Refinery yesterday, claiming the life of a worker of the plant and injuring two others.
Also destroyed in the blaze were company equipments and nine fuel tankers.
The charred body of the worker has been conveyed to the police hospital while two injured workers identified as Humphrey Aheikpor, 57, and Samuel Okine, 30 are receiving treatment at the Tema General Hospital.
The deceased worker, Thomas Ebo Friar, 60 was said to be due for retirement in March this year.
Two of the nine tankers were burnt beyond recognition. The equipments which was affected by the fire for whose cause is yet to be determined included, meters, pipe systems and an automatic fire sprinkling system.
It was a run for your life scene as smoke blended with flames could be sighted from afar.
According to eye witness account, the vicinity of the refinery became charged when the fire started, with tanker drivers moving their vehicles while workers ran helter-skelter for their lives.
They said the tankers were being loaded with premix fuel for distribution to outlets in the country when the incident occurred.
The fire also caused a panic situation as hawkers, drivers and workers of other industries within the vicinity took cover.
All vehicles moving towards the industrial area were directed to return.
Briefing the media after the fire has been brought under control, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mr Albert Gaisie said, the Tema Fire station had a call at about 10am concerning the fire outbreak.
He said the Ghana National Fire Service promptly mobilize six fire tenders with support from nine other stakeholders including, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), The Volta River Authority (VRA), Immigration Service and the Tema Oil Refinery’s fire brigade to fight the raging fire.
Mr Gaisie said, it took the team 20mins to bring the fire under control, although smoke continue to emanate from the burnt tankers.
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