A fire tragedy was today averted in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state after a car carrying a drum in its boot went up in flames at the NNPC Mega Filling Station and at first, creating serious panic among bystanders.

The driver of the vehicle was reportedly about to buy fuel when the car exploded. He had stepped out of his car and was beside the fuel attendant when the car gave a bang and exploded.

The fire incident was brought under control by courageous Nigerians around the vicinity who poured sand and water on the car. The car was eventually pushed away from the filling station into a field some meters away.

The driver and the fuel attendant were wounded by sparks of fire from the car however the extent of the injury is not clear.