By Justina Asishana, Minna
A faulty electrical connection caused a fire that threw Niger State Government House into panic on Tuesday.
The permanent secretary’s office, under renovation at the time, was razed down in the blaze.
The fire, which reportedly started at 12.30pm, burnt for over 15 minutes before the state fire service arrived.
The perm Sec’s office and press gallery are behind the governor’s office.
Staff ran out of their various offices screaming for help.
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Some grabbed some items and ran outside, fearing the fire might spread to their offices.
Some equipment and sensitive documents in the permanent secretary’s office were completely burnt before fire service could save them.
Three fire trucks came 15 minutes after the blaze began which took the firemen about 30 minutes to put out.
Deputy Controller of the state fire service, Malam Salihu Bello, who spoke to newsmen, said there was no firefighting truck in the Government House, a development which prevented quick intervention.
“The reason why there is no firefighting truck stationed in government house is as a result of government policies, but arrangement is being made to have a fire fighting truck here. We have our personnel stationed here to respond to any emergency.”
He said his men did their best to put the fire under control stating that they had to bring in firefighting trucks from various fire service stations in Minna to help achieve the feat.
“The firefighting trucks used to quench the fire were brought from the fire service various stations within Minna. The situation is under control now. No one was hurt in any way.”
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