By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Fire Service has successfully intervened in three separate fire incidents across the state, saving numerous lives and preventing potential widespread destruction of properties that would have resulted from the incidents.
According to respective press releases issued on the incidents by the Media Unit of the Service, the fire outbreaks were all caused by power surges, and occurred within a span of four days, affecting different locations in Awka and Onitsha.
It was further gathered that the prompt response of the Fire Service across the various scenes of the fire incidents were instrumental in battling the fire outbreaks to standstill, saving numerous properties in the affected facilities and preventing any potential casualties.
The release 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.
The Fire Service Operatives reiterated that the fire was triggered by a power surge, while also re-emphasizing the need for public to take precautionary measures, including switching off electrical outlets when not in use.
Similarly, the Fire Service in another statement, said the 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.
The Fire Service, while also making this known in a statement to newsmen said they 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.
