Fire Outbreak Averted, Fuel Tanker Burnt to Ashes at Kano Airport

A major fire outbreak was averted at the Aminu Kano International Airport last night, following a swuft reaction of fire service officials. The incident occurred after the  fuel tanker filling a Turkish Airlines aircraft burst into flames. The tanker was burnt to ashes while the aircraft, an Airbus 340, which was to airlift passengers from Kano to Istanbul, was partly damaged, the flight canceled.

According to the  Media Consultant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Garba Shehu , the aircraft was saved from being completely burnt following a quick decision by officials to hurriedly tow it away from the burning truck.

The Airbus 340 aircraft which had the burning truck under its wings made a miraculous escape following a decision to tow it away from the fire just in time before the fuel-laden tanker burst into a towering flame.

"The flight taking my family and I, among many other passengers to Istanbul from Kano was cancelled a short while ago following indications that the aircraft, even though not destroyed, was partly damaged on its wing.

"Fire engines at the airport emptied their contents without any serious impact on the raging fire, which burnt without let until it had consumed the oil tanker," Shehu said.

The cause of the fire remained unknown as officials of the airport and other aviation authorities could not be reached this morning.