Delta: Fire engulfs Yeye community in Burutu

By Enaibo Asiayei

Fire has erupted along the Trans Forcados Pipine within the Chanomi Creeks in Yeye community of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta, at a spill site.

The General Manager Community Relations, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, operator of the crude pipeline, Mr Sylvester Okoh confirmed the incident to newsmen in Warri on Monday, May 20 2019.

“At about 11:00 pm on May 19, 2019, a fire incident was reported at the crude oil spill site along the Trans Forcados pipeline around Yeye community,” said Okoh.

He added, “It was gathered that the fire occurred due to excessive heat from a pumping machine which was being used to transfer crude oil from the spill site into a barge.

“The fire was reported to have destroyed some equipment at the scene. The houseboat and gunboats were safely relocated from the scene of the fire incident.”

The Chairman of Yeye Community, Mr Phillip Fianka, had earlier told newsmen in Warri that there was a severe fire outbreak in the pipeline in the community.

Meanwhile, Mr Evans Etimigba of the Chartered Peace Reconciliator in the Niger Delta expressed fear that the fire might probably spread to other parts of the community if not put off.

Etimigba, however, called for quick intervention of the relevant government agencies to curtail the inferno.