Goods and property have been damaged during multiple fire outbreaks that occured in different parts of Anambra State between Sunday and Tuesday.
Our correspondent gathered that the fire outbreaks occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on Sunday, and on Tuesday, a fire outbreak occurred at a residential building on Nkisi Road Housing Gate, Fegge, Onitsha, the commercial city of the state.
Also, another fire outbreak occurred at another building along the Ekwueme Square Road, opposite XFit, Awka, the state capital on Tuesday.
The Anambra State Fire Service, headed by the Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed all the fire outbreaks while blaming them on carelessness and weather conditions.
It was gathered that the fire that broke out at UNIZIK in the early hours on Sunday was a result of bush burning and carelessness in the handling of the fire.
Although no life was lost, eyewitnesses said the fire burnt one of the buildings in the premises near the bush before the firefighters arrived at the scene and extinguished it and prevented it from escalating into nearby buildings.
A source in the school said the firemen who arrived at the scene at about 12:10 pm departed the scene at 4:20 pm after battling to quench the fire.
Similarly, it was gathered that the fire outbreaks that occurred at Nkisi Road Housing Gate, Fegge, Onitsha, started at about 4:53 pm on Tuesday, before men of the state firefighters arrived at the scene to quench it.
The fire along Ekwueme Square Road, opposite XFit, was said to have started at about 1:49 pm and was caused by a raging bush fire.
Eyewitnesses said the firefighters arrived at the scene and prevented it from escalating to nearby properties.
While confirming all the fire incidents in a statement on Tuesday, the state fire service advised residents to always clear their bushes with caution because of the harmattan, as fire travels fast during the harmattan.
It said, “Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call at 1210 hours (12:10pm) on Sunday, 22nd December, 2024 about a fire outbreak caused by bush burning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
“A crew of Firefighters and firefighting equipment were deployed immediately to the scene, and they were able to contain the fire.
“The fire affected one of the buildings in the premises. The firemen departed the scene at 1620 hours (4:20pm) of the same day.
“Similarly, “Earlier today (Tuesday), at 0453 hours (04:51pm), Anambra State Fire Service attended and contained a fire outbreak at No. Nkisi Road Housing Gate, Fegge, Onitsha. No life was lost!
“Again, today (Tuesday), Anambra Fire Service at Awka contained a raging bush fire along Ekwueme Square Road, opposite XFit, preventing it from escalating to nearby properties.
“The distress call was received at 1349 hours (01:49pm) and the crew of Firemen on duty deployed immediately to the scene. The cause of the fire is unknown. No loss of lives and properties.
“The Firemen left the scene and returned to the station at 1441 hours (02:41pm) of the same day. Always clear the grasses around your surroundings.” (Punch)
