An explosion at an illicit modular refinery processing used engine oil in a densely populated section of Kano metropolis resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries on Monday. The incident, which occurred in the Katango area of Wailari along Ring Road Bypass, opposite Maryam Shekarau Estate, led to the destruction of numerous houses. The fire ignited around 09:50 am and took approximately three hours for the Kano State Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and firefighters from Salbas Petrol Station to bring it under control. Unfortunately, a charred body, unidentifiable due to burns, was later recovered from the wreckage.

The individual who lost his life in the incident was identified as Aminu, the driver of a truck transporting barrels of used engine oil.

An eyewitness, Ahmad Umar Gaya, employed with the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), reported being on duty along the road when he heard an explosion.

Gaya recounted, “I promptly alerted the Kano Fire Service and guided them to the site. The area, situated amidst residential homes in Katango, Wailari, is utilized for storing truck and trailer scraps, as well as refining used engine oil for various purposes.”

The exact cause of the explosion remains uncertain. The truck transporting barrels of used engine oil caught fire, trapping the driver inside, resulting in severe burns beyond recognition.

Close to the site were residential dwellings housing women and children, with approximately five houses being consumed by the inferno.

During the incident, an elderly woman unable to walk was rescued from one of the houses, and two children were saved from another house where their mother had fled, leaving them inside. Onlookers contributed to these humanitarian efforts. It took approximately three hours to extinguish the fire.