The Nation Newspaper

Tag: fire

  • Fire burns 41-year-old man to death in Kwara, destroys five rooms 

    Fire burns 41-year-old man to death in Kwara, destroys five rooms 

    A tragic fire outbreak in the early hours of Monday claimed the life of a 41-year-old child and destroyed five rooms in a residential building in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

    The incident, which occurred around 2:00 a.m. at No. 158, Ile Alaparun, Alore area, left significant damage to the 35-room dwelling.

    According to the Kwara State Fire Service, the fire was triggered by an explosion in a room containing flammable materials. 

    The agency’s spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, revealed that preliminary investigations pointed to “spontaneous ignition in a room storing combustible materials, including petrol, batteries, and a tire inflator engine.”

    Read Also: Fury of fire in Kwara, Yobe, Taraba, Delta

    Efforts by the fire service to contain the blaze were lauded, but the unfortunate loss of life and property highlights the dangers of improper storage of flammable substances.

    Adekunle added: “Firefighters worked diligently to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing its spread to other areas. 

    Ultimately, five rooms were affected, while 30 rooms were successfully saved.

    “Tragically, the fire claimed the life of a 41-year-old man, identified as AbdulFatai from Ile Alate, Abayawo. The deceased had come to spend the night with a friend but was unable to escape due to intense smoke, which rendered him unconscious. His body was handed over to his family after the firefighting operation.”

    Adekunle emphasised the critical importance of adhering to safety precautions to prevent fire hazards.

  • JUST IN: Fire guts former JFM building in Delta

    JUST IN: Fire guts former JFM building in Delta

    …as firefighters run out of water

    There was a palpable tension in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, after a mysterious fire engulfed the former JFM building near Edewor Shopping Plaza.

    It was gathered that there were growing fears that the fire, which has spread to the third floor, could extend to nearby structures.

    The cause of the blaze remains unknown at the time of this report. 

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    According to reports, efforts by the Delta State Fire Service to extinguish the flames were hampered as they ran out of water, leaving the fire to ravage the building, which now houses Current FM.

    Police officers have been deployed to the scene to maintain order and prevent looting by hoodlums as emergency services struggle to contain the fire.

    The situation, it was gathered, remains tense as residents watch anxiously, hoping for swift intervention to prevent further destruction.

  • Fury of fire in Kwara, Yobe, Taraba, Delta

    Fury of fire in Kwara, Yobe, Taraba, Delta

    The fury of fire, which has affected some states, continued yesterday as it tore Kwara, Yobe, Taraba and Delta, leaving in its wake destruction.

     In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, fire destroyed 16 rooms and 19 shops.

    The fire occurred about 10:16am in Ile Bilewu, Alabi-Owo junction, Ita-Amodu area.

    Spokesperson of the state Fire Service Hassan Adekunle, said the “massive inferno originated from a lorry overloaded with mattresses. The fire spread from the lorry to a nearby building containing 47 rooms and 19 shops’’.

    He added: “Our efforts successfully saved 12 shops and 31 rooms, while seven shops and 16 rooms were, unfortunately, affected.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ika North Local Government Area of Delta State has been burnt.

    National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun said in a statement that the fire was caused by a power surge from a public power supply.

    Olumekun said while there was no casualty, the commission lost three generating sets and other items, such as 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three electric power generators, 140 stamps, 50 ballot box seals and assorted items, including envelopes, posters, forms and booklets.

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     In a statement, he said the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Delta State, Mr. Etekamba Udo Umoren, informed them of a fire incident at their council office in Owa-Oyibu town.

     The incident occurred in the afternoon of December 2 as a result of a sudden power surge following the restoration of public power supply.

    Also, the popular Bayan Tasha market in Damaturu, Yobe State capital, was destroyed by fire, leaving shops, kiosks, and properties in ruins and ashes.

    A section of one of the biggest relaxation spots in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, the Duchess Lounge, was consumed by fire with properties worth over a billion naira lost.

    Though the cause of the fire could not be ascertained, eyewitnesses believed the fire may have started as a result of sudden power surge and made worse by the weather. Our correspondent learnt that the entire first floor comprising of the club, VIP and VVIP sections were burnt to ashes with all the furniture and sound systems.

    The owner of the lounge and former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Prof. Joseph Albasu Kunini, said the place had just been overhauled preparatory for the third anniversary on December 30.

    He said: “It is a sad development and a huge loss but we thank God that no life was lost. You know that we just did a complete overhauling of the place and changed the furniture ahead of our third anniversary this December,” he said.

    The manager of the lounge, Mr Desmond Wee, said when the fire started, he called the fire services but they only arrived three hours later after the damage had already been done.

  • JUST IN: Fire engulfs Radio Nigeria Lagos office

    JUST IN: Fire engulfs Radio Nigeria Lagos office

    A fire broke out late Wednesday evening at the Radio Nigeria premises on Plot No. 35, Ikoyi Road, Lagos, sparking widespread concern and triggering an immediate response from emergency services.

    The cause of the blaze remains unknown as authorities launched investigations into the incident.

    Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, disclosed that the agency received a distress call around 5:30 PM. 

    Read Also: Police barrack renovations: IGP pledges better condition for officers

    Firefighters from the Dolphin, Ebute Elefun, and Oba Onitolo Fire Stations quickly mobilized to tackle the flames, which had engulfed the studio section of the building.

    Efforts are ongoing to fully contain the fire and assess the extent of the damage.

    Adeseye noted: “The public is assured that collaborative efforts with the Federal Fire Service and other emergency responders, including the Nigerian Police, have brought the situation under control, confining the fire to the studio section of the U-shaped one-story building where it started. While the cause of the fire is yet unknown and no casualties have been reported, damping down of the fire embers continues.”

  • Fire guts three radio stations in Aba

    Fire guts three radio stations in Aba

    Electronic Broadcasting equipment worth millions of Naira were on Saturday night destroyed as fire razed three radio stations in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State.

    The three radio stations; Enyimba 94.3 FM, Rose 101.9 FM and Legend 98.3 FM, were located off Margret Avenue, on the PZ axis of Aba-Owerri road in Aba North local government area of the state.

    The three radio stations, though run independently, but share the same building.

    It took the intervention of the personnel of the Abia State Fire Service to stop the fire from affecting other buildings in the area.

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    Though, the management of Enyimba TV and Radio Limited; the parent body of the two other stations in an official statement said that they were making efforts to know the remote cause of the inferno, a staff of the station said the fire started from the television section of the mother station before it spread to other sister stations.

    It was gathered that no life was lost, but no broadcasting equipment was spared.

    The management said that they were temporarily shutting down operation across the three stations to enable them assess the level of damage in the affected stations and to carry precautionary measures to avert future occurrence.

  • JUST IN: Fire guts three radio stations in Abia

    JUST IN: Fire guts three radio stations in Abia

    Electronic broadcasting equipment worth millions were on Saturday night burnt to ashes when fire gutted three radio stations in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State.

    Enyimba 94.3 FM, Rose 101.9 FM and Legend 98.3 FM were located off Margret Avenue on the PZ axis of Aba-Owerri road in Aba North local government area of Abia.

    The three radio stations, our correspondent reports, though run independently, share the same building.

    It took the intervention of the personnel of the Abia State Fire Service to stop the inferno from affecting other buildings in the area.

    Though, the management of Enyimba TV and Radio Limited; the parent body of the two other stations in an official statement said that they were making efforts to know the remote cause of the inferno, a staff of the station informed the fire started from the television section of the mother station before it spread to other sister stations. 

    It was gathered that no life was lost but no broadcasting equipment was spared.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Fire guts AP Plaza in Abuja

    The management further disclosed that they were temporarily shutting down operation across the three stations to enable them assess the level of damage in the affected stations and carry precautionary measures to avert future occurrence.

    A personnel of the Abia State Fire Service, who pleaded anonymity, called on owners of big factories and companies to procure fire extinguishers and hydrants to help assist manage and attack fire during such incident. 

  • Octogenarian dies, one rescued as fire razes house in Ogun

    Octogenarian dies, one rescued as fire razes house in Ogun

    Early morning fire that ravaged a residential building in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital has claimed the life of an octogenarian identified as Mariam Salako.

    The fire which started around 1:am on Saturday at a building located at 28 Ifelodun Ago ka area in Abeokuta, burnt the elderly woman to death as she was unable to flee the burning building.

    However, neighbours were able to rescue an occupant alive through the window.

    The Police spokesperson in the state, SP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident in a statement in Abeokuta, said an 80-year-old woman, Mariam Salako, died in the fire incident.

    SP Odutola said that a distress call was received by the Area Commander that fire had gutted a house at Ago ka area, adding that the remains of the elderly woman had been deposited at a morgue.

    Read Also: Octogenarian dies, one rescued as fire razes house in Ogun

    ”Around 1:00a.m, a distress call was made regarding a building on fire located at No. 28 Ifelodun Ago Ka area in Abeokuta.

    ” The Area Commander promptly led a team of police officers to the site while the fire service was called for assistance.

    ” The Ogun State Fire Service quickly responded and managed to bring the fire under control.

    ” Unfortunately, an elderly woman, Mariam Salako, aged 80, who lived in the building, was unable to escape and died in the fire incident.

    ” However, a man known as Baba Ali, whose age is not yet identified, was asleep during the fire and was rescued through a window by community members,” SP Odutola said.

  • I will fire special counsel Smith ‘within two seconds’ if he’s elected

    I will fire special counsel Smith ‘within two seconds’ if he’s elected

    Former President Donald Trump said yesterday he would quickly fire special counsel Jack Smith and use his presidential powers to end his probe, if he is elected next month.

    Smith was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the former president on a range of charges in two separate cases, including one charging Trump with election-related crimes and another accusing him of illegally retaining classified documents after he left office.

    Read Also: ‘President has powers to choose, fire appointees’

    When asked by radio host, Hugh Hewitt, whether he would pardon himself or fire Smith, Trump said: “It’s so easy. It’s so easy. I would fire him within two seconds.”

    Trump later said he doesn’t believe he would be impeached if he fired Jack Smith and that he has “immunity at the Supreme Court,” referring to the high court’s decision in July.

    Trump’s comment yesterday appears to be the first time he’s explicitly stated that he would fire Smith if he is re-elected.

  • Three injured as fire guts petrol tanker over collision

    Three injured as fire guts petrol tanker over collision

    Three persons were injured after a tanker fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and a Toyota Sienna space bus collided at Imani roundabout in Maitama, Abuja on Monday night.

    The injured victims, Idris Mohammed, Suleiman Gimba and Adamu Isiayku, have been rushed to Maitama district hospital for medical attention.

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command while confirming the incident in a statement by its Police public relations officer, SP Josephine Adeh said: “In response to a fire outbreak resulting from the collision of a tanker with Reg No. T20 146 LA fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and a Toyota Sienna space bus at Imani roundabout in Maitama, Abuja, today, September 23, 2024, at about 07:50 p.m., the FCT Police Command swiftly mobilised Police patrol teams from Maitama, Wuse and Central Police Station alongside operatives of the Federal Fire Service to the scene to possibly rescue victims and extinguish the fire.

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    “While no fatality was recorded, three persons, Idris Mohammed, Suleiman Gimba and Adamu Isiayku were injured and immediately rushed Maitama district hospital for medical attention.

    “The situation is now under control as the combined efforts of the Police and Fire service personnel was enough to curtail and extinguish the fire.

    “Further developments will be communicated in due course”.

  • Fire razes Oko Baba Plank market in Lagos

    Fire razes Oko Baba Plank market in Lagos

    In the early hours of Sunday, September 15, 2024, a devastating fire engulfed the Oko Baba plank market in Ebute Metta, Lagos, leaving much of the market in ruins

    The market, located along Ibadan Street, is a hub for the timber trade, serving businesses and residents across the bustling megacity.

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident, stating that the fire consumed the main plank market and numerous makeshift structures, known locally as shanties, within the area.

    Although goods worth millions of Naira were lost, LASEMA thankfully reported no casualties or injuries.

    Nosa Okunbor, the agency’s spokesperson, provided additional details in a public statement.

    “The fire consumed the main plank market, major parts of the shanties, and goods worth millions of Naira. However, we are grateful to report that no life was lost, and no injuries were sustained.

    “LASEMA received distress calls through the 767/112 Emergency lines at 10:20 a.m.

    “The Agency activated its Cobra Squad from the Onipanu Base, which arrived at the scene at 11:20 a.m. to contain the situation,” said Okunbor.

    By the time the LASEMA Response Team, along with the LRU Fire Unit and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, arrived, the market was already engulfed in flames.

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    “Upon arrival, it was observed that a large expanse of land, occupied by the plank market and shanties, was fully involved in the fire,” Okunbor explained.

    The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and the origin of the blaze is still under investigation.

    “The cause and origin of the fire outbreak could not be ascertained at the time of reporting this incident,” he said.

    Despite the swift response from emergency services, the fire ravaged the market for hours before it was fully brought under control.

    LASEMA has since confirmed that the fire has been completely extinguished. However, officials continue to monitor the area to prevent any possibility of the fire reigniting.

    “Dampening down is in progress to prevent re-ignition,” Okunbor said, referring to the practice of cooling debris to avoid a flare-up.

    LASEMA has also taken steps to educate market traders on fire safety.

    According to Okunbor, “Occupants have been enlightened on the dangers, major causes, and ways of preventing fire outbreaks in market areas.”