Tension gripped Port Harcourt residents on Monday when a fire incident erupted at a section of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex, destroying some property.
The fire was said to have started at the ground floor of the Podium after the close of work, affecting some offices within the nine-storey facility.
This came about a week after Governor Siminalayi Fubara dissolved the Rivers State Pensions Board, which office escaped the fire by a whisker.
It was reported that both Fubara and the immediate past Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), had given approval for the rehabilitation of the Secretariat.
Meanwhile, state officials, while speaking to newsmen, said the fire, which started in the evening, was caused by an electrical fault, although no casualty was recorded.
Pictures of thick smoke from the building billowing into the atmosphere are already circulating on social media as of the time of filing this report.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the state Head of Service, Dr (Mrs.) Inyinge Brown, said immediately the fire started, calls were put across to various organisations, which responded promptly to support the state facility.
She disclosed that the fire was caused by an electrical fault, adding that although no life was lost to the incident, medical personnel were on the ground to curtail any emergency.
“Dr Intingi stated, “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 the Renaissance, Federal Fire Service, and the military, who promptly sent their fire trucks. It’s a combined effort, and as we speak, you can see that the fire has been contained.
“We thank God and His Excellency, Sir 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 called on workers to always switch off appliances and plugs before leaving the office after work to prevent such occurrences.
“We urge all civil servants to take responsibility for their safety. Turn off your sockets and your 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 stressed.
Brown, however, assured the state that Fubara is working on measures to refurbish the buildings affected by the inferno.
Punch
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