Angry residents of Buipe Yepala in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region were outraged after firefighters were forced to watch helplessly as a raging fire destroyed thousands of cedis worth of property at a retail fuel station.

The incident occurred when a private fuel dealer attempted to open one of several drums used to store fuel.

According to the Buipe District Fire Command, pressure had built up in the drum, causing an explosion that quickly spread to a fuel tanker parked in the yard of the SO Filling Station.

The tanker was completely burnt, leaving several residents in shock.

Locals say the devastation could have been prevented if the district’s only fire tender — which has been out of service for over a year — had been repaired.

“We have been complaining for months, but nothing has been done. Now look at what has happened,” one resident lamented.

Fortunately, no injuries were recorded.