A vehicle carrying drums of illegal petrol burst into flames on Sunday evening, February 9, 2025, behind the City Council in the Mulang neighborhood. The incident, which occurred around 7:30 p.m., sent residents into panic as thick smoke and flames illuminated the area.
Eyewitnesses described hearing loud cracking sounds before the fire quickly engulfed the vehicle. The fire raged for nearly three hours before the Army Rescue Team, led by Senior Warrant Officer Taku Paul, managed to bring it under control.
“The flames were terrifying, and we feared they would spread to nearby houses. It’s a miracle the firefighters arrived in time,” said a resident.
Fortunately, the driver and his assistant escaped unharmed, leaving behind the burning vehicle. There were no reports of casualties, but the vehicle and its illicit cargo were completely destroyed.
Larger Disaster Averted
The swift intervention of the Army Rescue Team prevented a larger disaster, as the highly flammable petrol could have triggered widespread destruction.
The trade in illicit fuel in Bamenda is said to be gaining grounds with its flames faced by security forces who even have fixed amounts they collect from the vendors on daily basis.
“For us the small vendors, it’s 2000 frs for the police and same amount for the Gerndarms. If we do not pay, they make it hard for us to operate” says a vendor in Bamenda.
A whole sales vendor says “we settle 15000 a week to anyone security officer who comes to their shop”
Severally, there had been several crack downs on dealers in illicit fuel , but the business continues to thrive.
Water and energy experts say the fuel is often stored in residential areas posing a high risk to inhabitants.
This incident in Mulang is part of a broader problem associated with illegal fuel transportation in Cameroon.
