A devastating fire outbreak occurred at an illicit petrol storage facility in Seme Krake, a Benin town situated along the Nigerian border. Local authorities have reported a tragic loss of at least 33 lives in the incident.
Seme Krake is located in the Oueme department in Benin’s southeastern region. The fire, which originated near the town’s pineapple market, quickly spread to nearby residences and parked vehicles. Local fire brigade chief, Dallys Ahouangbegnon, stated that the blaze was challenging to control, and three injured individuals had to be evacuated for urgent medical treatment.
Eyewitnesses who managed to escape the scene described the fire’s impact as catastrophic, resulting in significant loss of lives and property. Firefighters faced an uphill battle in their efforts to extinguish the raging inferno.
Despite the recent removal of fuel subsidies by the Nigerian government, illegal trade in smuggled petrol from Nigeria continues to thrive. The sale of thousands of liters of petrol in Benin’s towns and neighborhoods largely originates from stations located along the Benin-Nigeria border. While this trade yields substantial profits, it also poses substantial risks due to the precarious storage conditions of the product. Consequently, fires like this one occur frequently, exacting a heavy toll on lives and property.
