By Adadainfo
Engr Okwudiri Ohaa, the chief fire officer, Enugu State, Monday, advised residents of the state to be fire conscious as the dry season sets in.
Engr Ohaa was reacting to the fire incident that gutted a twin two-storey building at Chiene Street, Achara Layout, Uwani, Enugu, Monday morning.
According to him, “Residents should always obey fire safety rules. It is discouraged to hoard petroleum products in the guise of the scarcity or high cost of the commodities. Having fire extinguishers should also be cultural among the residents in case of emergencies.
“Then, as we approach the dry season, people should clear bushes surrounding their houses. It is very essential.
“We also beg road users to give our fire fighting trucks right of way when our operatives are embarking on rescue missions. Anytime you see our men, there must be an emergency.”
Our correspondent gathered that the quick intervention of the state fire service saved the consumption of the entire building.
According to an eye witness, “The fire started in the morning, around 8am. We don’t know the cause of the fire. But much was damaged.”
John Odogwu, who witnessed the inferno, said, “Operatives of the Enugu State Fire Service curtailed the spread of the fire. They came timely, and rescued what would have been the worst calamity of the year. Many things were destroyed, but it could have been worse.”
The leader of the Enugu Fire Service team to the rescue, Mr Chukwuma Ugwuaneke, said, “We got a distress emergency call from residents of this area this morning, alerting us that there was a fire outbreak at number 7 Chiene Street.
“On recieving the call, we immediately mobilized our men and fire engines to the scene. And we thank God that we were able to control and extinguished the fire at the point we met it.”
