Properties worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed following a fire outbreak around Mile 50 Layout, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Monday.
A residential building and about seven shops were gutted by fire during the incident.
Confirming the fire outbreak, the Federal Fire Service, Ebonyi Command, said that the incident occurred at Aliugbala-Eze Street, around Eze and Bros Junction.
Yakubu Zekeri, Assistant Superintendent of Fire in the Command, told the News Agency of Nigeria that no life was lost and no one was injured in the incident.
He stated that the firemen arrived at the scene in record time to curtailed the spread of the fire.
Zekeri, who led the fire fighters to the scene, said that properties worth millions of naira were damaged.
“For now, we can’t really ascertain the cause of the fire but one of the tenants told us that it was caused by electrical spark.
“We are still on a damping down and when we are done with it we will know the actual cause of the fire,“ he said.
Zekeri advised the residents of the state to cultivate the habit of switching off their electrical appliances when going out or going to bed.
“This will help them to prevent the chances of fire outbreak should there be a power surge in their homes.
“This is dry season and critical period for fire outbreak. I urge the residents to always call on fire fighters whenever there is any sign of fire. Do not wait for it to get worse before calling us,” he advised.
One of the victims of the fire incident, a police officer, Insp. Calistus Akogu, said he lost all his documents and other valuables to the fire.
“I was in the office when my wife called me about the fire, but before I could get home, all my property had been damaged.
“All I have now, apart from my children and wife, is the cloth on me. I have lost every other thing,“ Akaogu said.
(NAN).
