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Tag: Fire

  • BREAKING! Fire engulfs sections of Onitsha main market

    BREAKING! Fire engulfs sections of Onitsha main market

    Fire has engulfed parts of the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State, Nigeria, causing panic among traders and residents.

    The fire reportedly broke out in one of the buildings around 6:20 AM on Friday before spreading to a neighboring structure.

    As of the time of this report, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined.

    However, eyewitnesses say the flames spread rapidly, prompting emergency response efforts from traders, local residents, and firefighters, who scrambled to salvage goods and limit the destruction.

    Confirming the incident, the Head of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, assured the public that firefighters were actively battling the blaze.

    “The Anambra State Fire Service is currently carrying out intervention efforts at the scene of the fire outbreak at Ifejika Street, by Sokoto Road, Onitsha. We received a distress call at 6:20 AM and immediately deployed our firefighters to contain the situation,” Chiketa stated.

    He further urged residents and traders to remain calm as emergency teams worked to bring the fire under control.

    The Onitsha Main Market, known as one of the largest commercial hubs in West Africa, has witnessed similar fire incidents in the past, often resulting in significant losses. Authorities have yet to determine the full extent of the damage, but affected traders are counting their losses as emergency efforts continue.

  • N15.3bn property lost to fire outbreaks in Osun – Fire Service

    N15.3bn property lost to fire outbreaks in Osun – Fire Service

    Osun State Fire Service says property worth N15,308,651,017 were lost to fire outbreaks in the state between January and December 2024.

    The losses were recorded in the state fire service annual ‘fire incident record’ which was obtained on Friday in Osogbo.

    According to the data, 103 fire outbreak calls were received by the state fire service in the year under review, with additional 16 non-fire related calls also attended to.

    The data also reflected that the majority of the fire outbreaks took place in February and December, where 20 fire outbreaks, each, were recorded.

    The highest property loss was, however, recorded in December, with N12.580 billion property lost to fire outbreaks, followed by the month of May where property worth N1.249 billion were destroyed during five recorded fire incidents.

    According to the data, seven persons died from the fire incidents, with one death recorded in the month of September and six others in December.

    Speaking on the data, the Osun Fire Service Spokesperson, Mr Adekunle Ibrahim attributed majority of the fire outbreaks to people’s “carelessness”.

    He said, “the careless ways people deal with electronics and electrical appliances at home and how they also handle naked fire often serve as catalysts for fire outbreaks.”

    He said the state fire service had often sensitised residents, market women, religious bodies, banks, business owners and others on prevention and management of fire outbreaks.

    “We have been sensitising the people and enlightening them to be very careful about how to handle naked fires, steps to take in cases of fire outbreaks, and the need to properly take care of electrical appliances to prevent fire outbreaks,” he said.

    Ibrahim said they intensified fire safety awareness in the state just as they have gone round to train hoteliers and others on fire safety and prevention methods.

    “We have also been going round banks in the state to inspect their fire safety equipment and also enlighten them on what to do in cases of fire outbreaks,” he said.

    He advised residents to always unplug their electrical appliances when not in use and always turn off their electricity when leaving their homes.

    He advised people to be mindful of bush burning, especially in the dry season.

    He also cautioned residents to be careful on how they handle naked fire in the kitchen, saying the majority of domestic fire outbreaks usually start from the kitchen.

  • Fire consumes driver, motor boy at Ibadan petrol station

    Fire consumes driver, motor boy at Ibadan petrol station

    Two persons have been confirmed dead in a fire incident that occurred early Tuesday at the Orita Challenge outlet of GABSTAB Petrol Station in Ibadan.

    In a statement released by the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, a petrol tanker driver and his motor boy lost their lives in the incident.

    Akinyinka said the fire service immediately deployed its men to the scene on receiving information about the fire at 5.15 a.m.

    “We got information about the GABSTAB Mega Petrol Station, Orita Challenge, fire incident at 5.15 a.m. and deployed our men immediately.

    “The driver and motor boy were burnt to death,” he said.

    The general manager, however, said the fire had been controlled, and more details about the incident would later be provided.

  • Properties worth millions destroyed by fire in Ibadan

    Properties worth millions destroyed by fire in Ibadan

    Property worth millions of Naira were destroyed on Sunday in Ibadan during a fire incident which ravaged a one-storey building with 10 rooms and three shops.

    The inferno destroyed household goods worth millions of Naira, while equipment in the shops were also completely ruined.

    It was gathered that the incident, which occurred behind a well-known furniture company along Liberty Road, happened when most occupants had left for church.

    A hair-dressing salon, a fashion designer’s shop and a foodstuff seller’s shop were also affected, with equipment and consumables worth millions of Naira destroyed.

    One of the residents, Miss Abosede Koleoso, who works at a filling station, told NAN she received a distress call at work alerting her to the fire outbreak.

    She narrated: “I was at work as an attendant at a filling station when I received a call that our house was on fire.

    “By the time I rushed home, the entire building was engulfed, destroying all rooms and occupants’ properties.

    “I was told the fire started in a sitting room upstairs due to an electrical spark, which could not be contained before spreading downstairs.”

    Another resident, Mr Karim Akande, thanked God that no life was lost.

    Meanwhile, shop owners were seen wailing, even as they declined to comment on the incident.

    Other occupants on the ground floor were seen salvaging their belongings and pushing them into taxis and cars, while others gathered in groups discussing the fire.

    Mr Yemi Akinyinka, General Manager of Oyo State Fire Services Agency, confirmed the fire incident.

    Akinyinka said the incident was reported at 10:34 a.m. via a call from a neighbour stating that a house at No 1, Shoyombo Street, Off Liberty Road, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, was ablaze.

    He said: “Immediately, fire personnel led by ACFS Adedeji were deployed to the scene.

    “On arrival, we found an ancient one-storey residential building engulfed in flames. We acted swiftly and prevented the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.

    “The fire was completely extinguished with assistance from fire marshals at a nearby mall.

    “No casualties were recorded. The fire affected the building, but we successfully saved neighbouring structures. The cause was a high voltage surge when power was restored,” Akinyinka said.

  • 4 dead, 10 hospitalised in Jigawa bus fire

    4 dead, 10 hospitalised in Jigawa bus fire

    The Police Command in Jigawa, has confirmed the death of four people, while 10 others injured following a bus fire incident that occurred at Gwaram Local Government Area of the state.

    The command’s Spokesman, SP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident in a statement in Dutse, on Sunday.

    Shiisu said the incident occurred on Saturday at about 4 p.m. when a bus conveying 44 passengers from Zaki Local Government Area of Bauchi State to Gwaram LGA of Jigawa engulfed by fire.

    “On Saturday, at about 1600hrs, a motor vehicle Hummer bus with Reg No. ZAK 382 XA, driven by one Dalha Saleh of Zaki LGA of Bauchi State, was conveying 44 passengers; 25 adults and 19 children from Zaki LGA and heading for Rabadi village in Gwaram LGA of Jigawa.

    “On reaching Government Girls Unity Secondary School Gwaram, fire engulfed the vehicle which emanated from its exhaust as a result of contact with a mattress that was tied to the back of the vehicle.

    “As a result, four persons, namely; Zuwairah Hassan, aged 40, Fatima Hassan, five, Iyatale Hassan, three and Halima Muhammad, 10, all of Saldiga village in Zaki LGA of Bauchi, were burnt beyond recognition,” Shiisu said.

    He explained that 10 other passengers who sustained various degree of injuries, were rushed to Gwaram Cottage Hospital for treatment, while the remaining passengers were safely rescued.

    The spokesman added that following a doctor’s examination and confirmation, the remains of deceased passengers were released to their relations for burial.

    Shiisu advised motorists, particularly commercial drivers, to avoid speeding and overloading of people and goods.

    He also called on drivers to regularly inspect their brakes and tyres before embarking on any journey.

  • NNPC reacts as fire outbreak rocks crude storage barge in Rivers

    NNPC reacts as fire outbreak rocks crude storage barge in Rivers

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.) says the fire outbreak on the dry crude storage barge, BESTAF5 at Cawthorne Channel 1,  Rivers , had been successfully contained.

    Mr Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd. in a statement on Thursday,  said there were no casualties and all personnel are safe.

    “At approximately 14:10 hours on Wednesday, Feb. 19, a fire broke out on the dry crude storage barge BESTAF5 at Cawthorne Channel 1,  Rivers, spreading to other barges.

    “Thanks to the swift response of our emergency teams and industry partners, the fire was successfully contained.

    “The incident did not impact flow station operations. Most importantly, there were no casualties, and all personnel are safe,” he stated.

    Soneye stated that  the NNPC  prioritised safety and remained fully committed to environmental protection and operational integrity.

  • Death toll rises in Enugu tanker explosion

    Death toll rises in Enugu tanker explosion

    The death toll from the tanker explosion on Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway has risen from 18 to 21 as recently confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    The Sector Commander of the FRSC, Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, told newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday that additional two males and one female died in the hospital.

    Recall that the incident, which happened on Saturday, Januaru 25, at about 11:30 a.m. when a fuel-laden tanker had a brake failure, fell and exploded, left 11 road users dead before emergency responders came to the scene.

    The deceased were evacuated by the FRSC officers after officials of the Enugu State Fire Service extinguished the inferno while the injured were taken to hospitals in Enugu for treatment.

    The sector commander said the additional three people could not make it due to the severe body injuries and burns they sustained.

    Agbakoba disclosed that recent harmonised statistics revealed that the incident involved 44 people as well as 16 vehicles, both commercial and private and a commercial tricycle.

    He said that 23 persons, which included eight males and 15 females, were injured.

    The sector commander further said that the injured persons were taken to ESUTH Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu and the UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla in the outskirts of Enugu metropolis.

    He said that nine admitted victims, including three males and six females, had been discharged, while 11, which included three males and eight females, are still on admission.

    Agbakoba, who is also a Corps Commander, said: “For now, traffic have been diverted to the inward Enugu-bound lane of the ever busy Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

    “We have continued evacuation of burnt vehicles in the scene of the accident in anticipation of re-opening the section of the road soon,” he said.

  • Enugu tanker explosion: I lost my constituents – Lawmaker laments

    Enugu tanker explosion: I lost my constituents – Lawmaker laments

    Mr Chima Obieze, the member representing Ezeagu constituency in the Enugu House of Assembly, has expressed sadness over the tragic tanker explosion at the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway that claimed 18 lives.

    The lawmaker, who made the disclosure in Enugu on Sunday, said that the accident claimed the lives of innocent people, including those from his constituency.

    Obieze expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims adding that the incident was a reminder of the need to enhance safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

    “Upon receiving the news, I drove to the scene of the incident, where I met with the Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, Dr. Obi Ozor and the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command.

    “I also saw the Enugu State fire-Fighting trucks and fire-fighters who had just succeeded in putting out the inferno.

    “I further met with a devastated lady who was identified to be from Awha-Imezi in Ezeagu Constituency who happened to have lost about three of her family members in the ugly incident.

    “I want to assure the general public that we have prepared a motion to urge the relevant authorities to implement additional safety measures, including stricter regulations on the movement of fuel tankers and heavy-duty vehicles.

    “We will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and that measures are put in place to prevent such incidents from occurring again” he said.

    The lawmaker prayed that the good Lord may grant their souls eternal rest in his kingdom.

    A fuel laden tanker on Saturday, lost control and rammed into vehicles on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway killing 18 people while 11 vehicles were burnt.

  • NSEMA releases update on Niger fuel tanker fire

    NSEMA releases update on Niger fuel tanker fire

    Death toll from the Dikko fuel tanker explosion has risen to 98, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).

    The Director-General, NSEMA, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the updated figure in a statement issued on Monday in Minna.

    Baba-Arah also said that 69 people were injured in the explosion, while 20 shops were burnt.

    The tanker explosion occurred on Saturday morning at about 9 a. m., along the Dikko-Maje road opposite Baddegi fuelling station in Gurara Local Government Area.

    The incident occurred when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed, and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker.

    In the process, the PMS came into contact with a generator used to power the transfer process, triggering an explosion that claimed many, injured many, and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

    The incident had sparked widespread condemnation and sympathy from various quarters.

    The Niger and Federal government had commiserated with the families of the victims and promised to provide support to those affected.

    The state government had also called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the Minna-Suleja road project, which had been blamed for the frequent accidents in the area.

  • Tanker explosion: NMDPRA to review safety procedures

    Tanker explosion: NMDPRA to review safety procedures

    The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it will review its operating procedures to encourage safety awareness, following Saturday’s tanker explosion in Niger.

    Mr Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive, NMDPRA, said this on Sunday when he visited the site of the petrol tanker explosion.

    He said after receiving a preliminary report of the accident, the authority would  carry out further investigation, and come up with measures to prevent reoccurrence.

    Scores of residents were burnt to death with several others sustaining varying degrees of injuries following the explosion of a petrol-laden tanker at Dikko Junction, Gurara, Niger.

    The inspection team included oil stakeholders such as the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), branch of NUPENG.

    Ahmed, represented by Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, NMDPRA, said the authority would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to enhance public awareness to avoid reoccurrence.

    “From what we learnt, there was an accident, and from the accident, there was a spill, and people were scooping fuel. And this led to the incident that caused the loss of many lives yesterday.

    “We will work with the stakeholders to review our standard operating procedures; we should have a proper safety arrangement to prevent such accidents.

    “We have requisite training within the sector that encourages safety awareness,” he said.

    The NMDPRA team visited the Musa Yar’Adua Memorial Hospital, Sabon-Wuse, Niger, where the explosion victims were taken for medical attention.

    Dr Musa Lafaruma, Head, Hospital Services, confirmed that 28 people were brought to the hospital on the day of the explosion, but three of them died leaving only one survivor.

    According to him, many of the victims were taken to other hospitals for medical attention by their family members.