Anambra Records 30 Fire Incidents With 10 Deaths In Seven Weeks

The Anambra Fire Service said on Tuesday that it recorded no fewer than 30 fire incidents and 10 deaths between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15 this year.

Mr Martin Agbili, the Chief Fire Officer, Anambra Fire Service made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha.

Agbili said the fire incidents included those that occurred at the INEC Headquarters, Awka, where several card readers to be used for the Feb. 16 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state were burnt.

He expressed regrets that three persons died at Ihiala and seven at Amawbia fire incidents, which were both caused by explosions from petroleum laden articulated vehicles.

The chief fire officer said the service recorded a total of 110 fire outbreaks in 2018, out of which only two persons’ sustained injuries.

“In January, we received 35 fire calls, nine in February, and on March 10, April 5, May 8, June 7, July 4, Aug. 1, Sept. 1, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 24.

“The estimated savings in the process of fighting fire in 2018 was N16, 585, 650, 000, while an estimated N790, 072,500 was lost to inferno within the period under review.

“From all indication, most of the fire incidences till date were as result of carelessness on the part of those involved,” he said.

Agbili said the service had intensified fire safety campaigns in schools, churches and markets in a bid to educate the people and reduce fire incidences in the state.

Commending Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra for equipping the service, Agbili said the recruitment of more firemen and provision of fire trucks would help deliver improved services to the people.

He advised people of the state to avoid anything that could cause fire, urging them not to hesitate or delay in calling the state fire service during fire outbreaks.-NAN