The Nation Newspaper

Tag: fire

  • Fire razes shops at FCE Yola

    Fire razes shops at FCE Yola

    Fire in the neighbourhood of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola, has destroyed 10 shops.

    The fire occurred on Saturday as a result of burning of bush just outside the fence of the FCE, according to witnesses.

    The scene of the fire is the bushy environment on the FCE stretch of the highway leading from Jimeta to the old Yola town.

    The incident left the victims lamenting the loss of wares they said were worth millions of Naira.

    Read Also: Crossover night celebration: Police to dominate Yola space Sunday, Monday

    One of the victims, Mercy Paul, said she lost all the equipment in her hair dressing salon.

    The State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, who paid a sympathy visit to the scene, warned residents to restrain from bush burning.

    She said, “This is dry season. The harmattan winds are very strong. People should stop indiscriminate bush burning, especially around residential areas.”

  • Fire destroys football viewing center, two shops in Kwara

    Fire destroys football viewing center, two shops in Kwara

    A rampaging fire from a diesel truck yesterday damaged two shops and one football viewing centre in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    The incident happened around 10:47 am at Magaji Aare quarters, Ajegunle, in the Idi-Ape area of the metropolis.

    Firemen from the Kwara State Fire Service were said to have arrived promptly at the scene of the incident.

    Spokesperson of the fire brigade Hassan Adekunle said the blazing inferno emanated from a diesel tanker containing 22,000 liters with registration number MUS 916 YF.

    Said he: “The situation escalated as the tanker’s valve opened, causing diesel to gush out forcefully. Undeterred, the firemen, demonstrating their exceptional firefighting skills, called for additional support, and another fire appliance quickly joined the effort.

    Read Also: Peter Obi pledges N5millions to support Plateau attack victims

    “After a relentless hour of collective effort, the dedicated team extinguished the raging fire.

    “Upon investigation, the tanker driver revealed to the Fire Service media team that the fire originated from the pumping machine used to siphon diesel for the ‘Collo site’ mast, which serves all networks.

    “Policemen from C Division in the metropolis were at the scene to maintain order and control any potential mob disturbance.

    “The community’s cooperation played a crucial role in enabling the firemen to work efficiently and effectively in overcoming the challenging situation.”

    He urged the general public to always play safe, especially during this period.

  • Fire outbreak destroy goods, properties in Rivers

    Fire outbreak destroy goods, properties in Rivers

    Two fire outbreaks that occurred in Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor Local government areas have destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira.

    One of the fire incidents occurred at the Marine Base axis opposite the plank shade market.

    Sources said  the fire started from a shop in the morning, adding that the inferno was almost put out by residents and shop owners before the arrival of fire fighters.

    The source, who spoke in confidence said: “I was just called upon that there was fire in Marine Base. So when I came to the place it was opposite the plank shade but the boys around did well to see that they stop the fire.

    “Fire service came later and completed what the boys started but smoke is still coming out.”

    The other fire incident happened at a parking space in the Rumueme axis of Mile 4 along Ikwerre Road destroying  many properties.

    It was gathered that the rented space was used by a trader to store items including furniture and mattresses.

    One of the affected residents said: “I just locked my door and I went out. My coming back I saw a crowd shouting fire, fire. Reaching here I saw the whole mattresses at the back have burnt. It affected my window and most of mu things got lost.

    Another source, who spoke in confidence said: “We just saw the fire but we could not identify where the fire is coming from. I picked my phone and started calling the fire service. Though they were not picking but they later came. There is this man that stored many goods. Some of the goods just came in”.

    He said some persons succeeded in removing their valuables while many others could not because they were not around when the inferno started.

    He said: “For this man most of the goods were consumed in the fire. But we thank    God that no life was lost before the fire was put out.”

    An official of the Federal Fire Service said they rushed to the scene immediately they received the distressed call and expressed happiness that some properties were salvaged by residents.

  • Epidemic of fire

    Epidemic of fire

    • Canadian high commission, Samsung outlet join long list of buildings razed in Abuja

    Every year, Nigeria loses billions of naira to fire disasters in virtually all parts of the country, with markets, public and private buildings as well as equipment usually razed, and the fire service unable to check the spread.

    Last week, it was the turn of the Canadian High Commission and Samsung showroom near the popular Barnex Plaza. While efforts were made to promptly alert the Federal Fire Service (FFS), little could be done to salvage the situation that claimed two lives at the high commission.

    In the first half of this year alone, the Controller-General of the FFS disclosed that the service intervened in no less than 1,000 fire disasters, with many lives rescued. Both the immediate past Minister of the Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and his successor, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, have however taken a number of measures to improve the equipment for fire fighting at the federal level. Dr. Tunji-Ojo recently commissioned 15 Rapid Response Fire Fighting Vehicles and six heavy fire fighting trucks. This was in response to the spate of complaints by victims of the disasters that the response time was poor.

    Unfortunately, the poor response is not only at the federal level, or in the Federal Capital Territory. 

    In the same first half of 2023 in Lagos, the country’s commercial capital, the state fire fighting and rescue service was invited to combat more than 1,600 infernos. 

    In response to the common allegation of failure to promptly show up to assist the victims, or sometimes come without the needed water and reagents, the fire fighters have always complained about lacking adequate manpower, modern equipment and budgetary support. 

    This calls for urgent attention. 

    The supervising ministry should take measures to get the service covered in the appropriation acts. In recent times, it appears that the duration is improving, but much more need be done. Training at home and abroad should be stepped up for the personnel. Nigerians deserve much more. Given the size and population of the country, government should do enough to ensure good coverage, especially in a country where insurance is not fully embraced. 

    Read Also: Fire claimed 12 lives in 10 months

    Besides, the fire service should come up with preventive measures. All markets, malls, multi-storey buildings, secretariats, tertiary institutions, among others, should have more than the inadequate provisions usually made for them. Each should also have personnel specially trained for fire prevention and combating purposes. Fire drills are few and far between in public and private entities, thus rendering lives and property exposed.

    The Federal Ministry of Information and its state counterparts, the National Orientation Agency, as well as other institutions involved in information dissemination, should step up public enlightenment on what to do in case of fire disaster. Many Nigerians are ignorant about what is required, and rather than help the process, they constitute themselves to a clog in the process. They crowd the way, thus prevent access to the scene. In some cases, they attack the fire fighters during which period precious time is lost. 

    Continuous awareness programmes would help. We do not agree, as the FFS has requested, that there is need for Fire Police Service to clear the way for them and ward off hoodlums who besiege the scenes to scavenge materials. The instruction by the incumbent minister that the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) should always accompany fire fighters when going on operation should be tried since both agencies are under the Ministry of Interior.

    The National Assembly has a duty to step in to save Nigerians the agony that usually accompanies fire disasters. Under the oversight function of the lawmakers at the federal and state levels, they can conduct public hearings on what should be done to combat the epidemic. As is sometimes done in serious circumstances, a summit could also be convened to give experts an opportunity to make suggestions on the way out. The times are hard enough for citizens without fire disasters, being confronted with the additional burden of fire could be crippling. This is appropriation season; so, this issue should reflect in the most important act of the legislature. 

  • Fire claimed 12 lives in 10 months

    Fire claimed 12 lives in 10 months

    Twelve persons died in fire incidents between January and October in the Federal Fire Service (FFS) Zone F, comprising Lagos and Ogun states.

    The Assistant Controller-General (ACG) Zone F, Mr Chika Njoku, gave the figure yesterday in Lagos, at the beginning of an awareness campaign on prevention of fire incidents, ahead of the year-end harmattan.

    Njoku said property valued at N4.7 billion were also lost to fire in the zone during the period.

    He said 133 persons were, however, saved in 216 fire incidents, alongside property estimated at N23.1 billion, within the zone, during the period.

    The ACG said that 180 other persons were also rescued from different disasters within the same period.

    Ahead of the harmattan, he warned Lagos residents against activities that could cause fire outbreak.

    Read Also: No casualty recorded as fire guts Samsung Headquarters – FCT Fire spokesman

    Njoku said the zone had taken the initiative to remind the public as well as men of the service to take precautions ahead of the period, which experiences more of fire incidents.

    “The essence of this briefing is to remind and arouse our level of preparedness so we will be able to face this period fairly, so that there will be no loopholes.

    “Although, we cannot totally eradicate fire outbreaks, we are trying to minimise them, and also the negative effects on the affected. “You can equally agree with me on our mandate, which is to save life and property through advocacy, education, training and through the firefighting,” he said.

    He encouraged the public to take necessary precautions and to reach out to the fire service in case of any outbreak.

    The official promised prompt response to distress calls.

  • Millions gone in Samsung Plaza fire

    Millions gone in Samsung Plaza fire

    Workers at the ‘Samsung Plaza’ around Banex Junction in Wuse 2 District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, were thrown into confusion last night following a fire outbreak in the plaza.

    They were joined by passersby in their efforts to salvage what they could.

    The source of the fire which started around 8pm could not be ascertained as of press time.

    Security operatives and fire service men were being awaited at the scene.

    Read Also: Presidency lambasts Obi for aspersions on Judiciary, INEC

    FCT Emergency Management Agency Public Relations Officer, Nkechi Isa, who confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation, condemned the attack on first responders by hoodlums, who were looting the store.

    She said:  “Hoodlums attacked men of the Federal Fire Service who were sent to quench the fire, so they had to request for reinforcement from the Police and NSCDC.”

  • JUST IN: Fire guts popular Samsung Plaza in Abuja

    JUST IN: Fire guts popular Samsung Plaza in Abuja

    There was confusion in Abuja on Monday when fire gutted the ‘Samsung Plaza’ around Banex Junction in the Wuse 2 district of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

    Workers and passers-by were seen running to salvage what they could.

    Read Also: Female UNIPORT student found dead in apartment

    The source of the fire, which started around 8 pm, could not be immediately ascertained.

    Security operatives and fire service were yet to get to the scene of the incident.

    Details shortly……

  • N1.62b property lost to fire, says agency

    N1.62b property lost to fire, says agency

    Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has said property valued at N1.62 billion has been lost to fire between January and October.

    Director, Margaret Adeseye, spoke during a briefing on Fire Evacuation Drill at Alausa, Ikeja.

    Adeseye said the agency received 1,327 fire calls and 154 rescue calls.

    She said N9.728 property was saved from destruction, noting, however, reductions in fire resulted to regular sensitisation by the agency.

    Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Government Relations, Mr Gbenga Oyerinde, warned Lagosians to desist from making false calls to the agency, saying such calls impeded the efficiency of the firefighters.

    Read Also: Fubara, Wike feud: Tinubu, PDP governors mediate

    Saying one person has been made a scapegoat, he said the ministry would prosecute more people involved in this.

    The commissioner noted  police officers are now attached to firefighters to prevent them from being attacked while on duty.

    The state, he said, would continue to prosecute those found harassing fire service men.

    He appealed to the public to stop scooping fuel or diesel from tankers, saying the action could lead to loss of lives as seen in Ondo State.

  • 10 electrocuted, 25 shops burnt as mysterious fire wreaks havoc in Plateau community

    10 electrocuted, 25 shops burnt as mysterious fire wreaks havoc in Plateau community

    No fewer than 10 persons were killed while 25 shops and houses were razed as an early morning fire tore through the sleepy neighborhood of Kabong in Gada Biu area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    Among the victims were said to be a man, his wife and child as well as others identified as Mrs Peter Christy, Mr Silas Oyibo, Mr Isaac Monday, Mr Adejo David and his wife Naomi together with one of their children.

    The Nation gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 2 am yesterday, started when one of the high tension wires snapped and fell on a transformer that serves the neighbourhood.

    The resultant explosion was said to have caused a huge fire that spread to nearby shops and residential apartments, torching every item within reach, especially electronic gadgets like sound systems, fridges, fans and air conditioners.

    An eyewitness said the fire set the entire area alight as goods and personal items went up in flames.

    Another eyewitness, who identified himself as Steven John, said the fire was mysterious as only the goods and personal effects in the shops were affected while the buildings were intact.

    Jihn said: “The fire started at about 2 am and quickly spread to some isolated shops and houses.

    “Indeed, it was a mysterious fire. You can see that it is only the goods and personal belongings that were burnt, leaving the buildings and roofs intact.”

    While some of the victims died on the spot, our correspondent gathered that others gave up the ghost at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (Jankwano) where the were rushed to.

    The Public Relations Officer of Plateau State Police Command, Alfred Alabo, who confirmed the incident, said that six persons were killed.

    Read Also:10 electrocuted, 25 shops burnt as fire wrecks havoc in Plateau community

    He said the fire was suspected to have been caused by a power surge.

    Alabo said: “We are carrying out investigation to know the real cause of the incident. But we suspect that it was caused by a power surge.

    Jos electricity distribution company mourns victims

     In a statement issued by its Head of Corporate Communications, Dr Friday Adakole, yesterday, the Jos Electricity Distribution Plc expressed sadness over the incident.

    The electricity distribution company extended its sympathy to the families of those who encountered losses during the incident.

    The statement said: “Jos Electricity Distribution Plc is anguished by the unfortunate incident at about 0313 hours today, affecting customers on our Kabong primary distribution transformer in the Kabong area, Rukuba Road, Jos.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident was a result of a high-tension line snap onto the low-tension lines which resulted in a voltage supply outside limits.

    “The source feeder tripped off and inter-tripped the transmission end source from Makeri Transmission Station.

    “We will continue to be monitoring the situation closely and communicate the facts of this regrettable incident.

    “Equally, an evaluation of the root causes is underway, and appropriate measures will be put in place to avert future occurrences.

    “We express our deepest sympathies to families who have encountered losses as a result of this incident.

    “We are grateful to traditional and community leaders in the area for all their support in managing the effects of the accident.”

  • Seven houses razed despite cease fire, curfew in Osun communal clash

    Seven houses razed despite cease fire, curfew in Osun communal clash

    Despite the intervention of the Osun State Government in the communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu communities, arsonists razed not less than seven houses on Friday.

    The government directed a cease fire and imposed curfew on the warring communities after a meeting with community leaders on both sides.

    The Public Relations Officer of Ilobu Development Union, Mr Tairu Babatunde, in a statement on Friday said seven houses were burnt after the government met with leaders of the two communities.

    Read Also: Ondo kidnapped church members allegedly paid N50m as ransom

    He blasted security arrangements for allowing the crisis to fester despite assurances by the government after cease fire order and imposition of curfew on the communities.

    Babatunde said: “The seven houses razed between Thursday night and Friday morning belong to Ilobu indigenes and these things happened after the curfew had been imposed on the two communities.

    “The 24-hour curfew is not enough if lives and property of the people are still not safe, hence, we plead with the state government to ensure that adequate personnel are deployed in the communities to restore law and order.”