No fewer than 90 passengers aboard Istanbul bound Turkish Airline cheated death at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport Tuesday night when a petrol tanker refuelling it reportedly burst into flame.

The incident, which occurred around 10.45p.m. triggered pandemonium at the airfield as those around the scene took cover.

It was learnt that the timely intervention of men of Fire Service Department of the airport saved the day as they battled the inferno for over an hour to restore normalcy.

A competent source at the airport said that gallant fire service men mobilised and pushed off the aircraft, a Boeing 747, from the trouble spot before concentrating on extinguishing the inferno.

The account revealed that the visibly shocked passengers hurriedly disembarked into a waiting bus that conveyed them to an unnamed five-star hotel in the city.

Although, the aircraft was not damaged by the inferno, but the airliner was said to have cancelled the scheduled flight to enable their demoralised passengers recover from shock.

However, it could not be ascertained at press time when the aircraft would continue its flight against the backdrop that it was certified air worthy by officials of National Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.

Attempt to speak to the airline operator over the development failed as the Corporate Affairs Manager, AbdulHameed directed that enquiries should be directed to airport officials who were also keeping sealed lips.