Chinedum Treasure
A total of four fire outbreaks were recorded at different locations in Awka and Onitsha, Anambra State.
According to seperate statements issued on the incidents by the Media Unit of State Fire Service, the inferno which occurred within a period of four days, were caused by power surges.
The statement said destruction of lives and properties were averted through prompt intervention of fire fighters.
It further revealed that the most recent of the three fire incidents occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, October 23, 2024, when the Fire Service received a distress call at approximately 4:10 a.m. that fire broke out at No. 1 Ahakelu Phase 1, GRA, near the Ministry of Lands in Awka, in reaction to which Service immediately dispatched a team of firefighters to the scene.
The Fire, which engulfed a shop in the area, was successfully contained which prevented it from spreading to other attached shops and buildings.
The statement further says the firefighters left the scene after ensuring the fire was completely extinguished by 5:09 a.m, while casualties were reported in the incident.
It revealed that the fire was triggered by a power surge, stressing the need for public to take precautionary measures, including switching off electrical outlets when not in use.
In another development, Fire Service, on Monday, October 21, 2024, at about 10:00 a.m., responded to another fire outbreak at No. 26 Omor Road, GRA, Onitsha North Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the fire, which started in the boys’ quarters of a one-storey building, was swiftly brought under control by the fire crew.
While also noting that no injuries or fatalities were recorded from the incident, the Fire Service confirmed that the cause of the fire was also a power surge, adding that the firefighting crew departed the scene at 1:20 p.m., after quenching the fire and ensuring the safety of the area.
The first in the series of incidents was recorded on Sunday, October 20, 2024, when a fire broke out at Mr. Lotanna Okoye’s compound, off Book-Foundation Junction, Ifite, Awka.
“We received a distress call at 9:18 p.m. about the fire and quickly deployed a crew of firefighters to the scene.
“The fire outbreak was contained on arrival. No life was lost. A room in the compound was partly affected by the fire outbreak. Power surge was identified as cause of the fire outbreak.
“The crew of Firemen departed the scene at 2151 hours (9.51pm) of same day. The general public is advised to be conscious of fire, always switch off all the electrical outlets whenever not in use. Fire kills but, we can prevent it,” the statement partly read.
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