Panic as fire engulfs part of Podium Block at the Rivers State Secretariat, in Port Harcourt, on Monday.
It was gathered that the fire incident which started at about 5:20pm, occurred barely few days after Governor Siminalayi Fubara tackled some permanent secretaries in the state government for engaging in actions that undermined the principles of service, during the period of emergency rule.
A witness, who disclosed his name as Jumbo, said the scene of the incident which has been contained at the time of this report, started when the air-conditioning was installed on the side of the building.
It was observed that the prompt intervention of the State Fire Service and other partners was able to stop further spread of the fire across the complex.
According to Jumbo: “Everything is totally under control. Although the fire services are still here, trying to reinforce, making sure the inferno is completely off, everything is completely under control.
“We have over five trucks of fire services. A portion of the downstairs of the Podium Block in the Rivers State secretariat was badly damaged by the fire. Well, the building didn’t come down but everything was totally destroyed by fire or water.
“One will assume that because of the area where the fire started, which is the Air-conditioner area, it is likely that the fire could be caused by electrical problem”, Jumbo expressed.
Meanwhile, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Inyingi Brown has stated that there were no casualties during the fire incident that occurred at the Secretariat Complex.
Speaking with Journalists on the ground floor of Podium Block, location of the incident, the Head of Service disclosed that on noticing the fire outbreak, the State Fire Service and other agencies were promptly called to contain the inferno.
“We were informed that there was a fire incident at the right wing, ground floor of Podium Block and we immediately made calls to the River State Fire Service, and they responded promptly.
“We also called other partners of the state, such as Renaissance, Federal Fire Service, and the military, who all promptly sent their fire trucks. It was a combined effort, and as we speak, you can see that the fire has been contained”, she stated.
“We thank God, and we thank His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, for being proactive in rehabilitating the fire service before this time. If not for his investment in the fire service, this situation would have been worse,” she stressed.
She disclosed that no life was lost, even though the state medical service was on the ground to curtail any emergency.
Dr Brown explained that preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been as a result of electrical faults and thereby called on all civil servants to be responsible in putting off all electrical services at the close of work.
“We urge all civil servants to take responsibility for their safety. Put off our sockets and our lights. Not just putting off the sockets, but unplugging to ensure there is no residual charge because these buildings are heritage buildings and we don’t want anything to happen to them,” she admonished.
Brown further assured that Governor Fubara was working on measures to refurbish the secretariat buildings, which she said will be made known soon.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
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