By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

An oil spill from a pipeline belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company has reportedly caused fire outbreak at Ikarama in Okordia clan of Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa State, forcing  residents to flee their homes.

The serene rural community, located on the bank of the Taylor creek, it was learnt, had experienced no fewer than six oil spills in the last three weeks some of which  were allegedly caused by either suspected saboteurs or equipment failure.

It was however learnt that the company had succeeded in clamping five oil spill sites at different locations before the outbreak of the inferno which threw the community in confusion.

According to the natives, they were woken up from sleep Wednesday night by the sound of explosion and raging fire.

The intensity of the heat and orange flame that lit up the night, they said forced many of them to evacuate their families for fear of the inferno spreading to their homes.

The distance between some huts/houses and the fire, according to Environment Rights Action Field Coordinator in the state, Comrade Alagoa Morris, who was among the first of persons to visit the  troubled community to assess the extent of the despoliation on the environment, was less than 20 meters in some cases.

Confirming the incident, SPDC spokesman, Mr. Precious Okolobo, said the fire was ignited by unknown persons.