There’s a popular saying that courage is forged in the fire of adversity and that heroes stand tall because of discipline, training, and duty.

A 38-year-old tanker driver, Alagbe Hezekiah recently demonstrated courage and a quiet act of heroism. For him, he took the bull by the horns to show that the spark of bravery doesn’t require uniform or valor.

Hezekiah risked his life to move a burning petrol tanker away from populated areas in Iwo, Osun State, to protect lives and property.

His action has attracted praise from members of the public, with some calling for him to be formally recognised and rewarded for his bravery in moving the burning tanker away from the populated area to save lives.

Hezekiah, an indigene of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, said in an interview that the fire incident which occurred on Thursday started suddenly while he was about to deliver petrol to a filling station in Iwo.

“We don’t know where the fire came from. We don’t know what caused the fire,” he said.

According to him, he and others initially tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, but the flames quickly grew beyond their control.

When he realised that the fire could no longer be contained, Hezekiah said he began thinking about the people and properties around the filling station.

“I thought about people’s properties and their lives that should not be wasted,” he said.

Hezekiah made the decision to drive the burning tanker away from the filling station and the populated area towards a riverside where there were no people and properties that could be affected by the fire.

“I thought about the next thing I could do, so I decided to drive the tanker out from the filling station,” he said.

The driver said he knew the decision could cost him his life but considered it necessary to prevent a potentially larger disaster that will involve more lives and properties.

“I thought about people because if the fire continued, more lives could be lost. So I thought of sacrificing my life to save other lives,” he said.

“I thought wherever it leads to, since it is only my own life, I’ll accept my fate.”

Hezekiah eventually relocated the burning tanker to the riverside opposite Lado Filling Station at Feesu Junction. On reaching the location, he detached the tanker containing petrol from the truck before driving the vehicle away from the burning tank.

“I was ready to sacrifice my life to save other lives,” he said.

Although he admitted that he was afraid while driving the burning tanker, Hezekiah said his concern for the safety of other people outweighed his fear.

“I was scared, but I considered saving people’s properties and lives,” he said.

Hezekiah, stated that he has been driving tankers since 2004, said he had never experienced an incident similar to the event throughout his more than two decades as a tanker driver.

The driver who works for a company operating in Iwo and Ejigbo urged his fellow tanker drivers to remain courageous and think quickly when confronted with emergencies.

“My advice for my fellow tanker drivers is that we should be brave enough for incidents like this. They will save more lives and properties,” he said. (The Nation)