Oil Spill Fire Outbreak Destroys Over 100 Houses In Bayelsa State

[emezico]

Thousand of residents have fled the Ikarama community, Bayelsa state following an inferno triggered by an oil spill from a Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) pipeline.

No fewer than 100 houses were also burnt by the fire, which has compounded the problems arising from the spill.

However, the Environment Rights Action Field Coordinator in the state, Comrade Morris Alagoa, who was among the first persons to arrive at the scene, told our correspondent that the distance between houses and some huts in the area was less than 20 meters.

"The natives, young and old watched helplessly from safe distances how their property were consumed by the inferno, which rose up to about 25 meters or so above the ground," he said, adding that that appropriate authorities should move in to investigate the incessant spill in the community and ascertain the major cause of the outbreak of fire.

In his remark, a resident, Mr. Tamunokomie E. Oba, said "the fire outbreak caused a lot of panic because crude oil is all around our dwelling and we fear the fire might spread to burn down the house."

Confirming the incident to Nigeria Tribune, SPDC Spokesman, Mr. Precious Okolobo, said the fire was ignited by unknown persons.

[emezico]