There was panic on Tuesday at the Federal Secretariat Awka, Anambra State as fire destroyed office equipment and documents.
At about three o’clock in the afternoon, staff of the secretariat scampered for safety amidst fears and panic.
An eye witness and staff of the National Orientation Agency, Mr Anthony Obiorah narrated that they were in the office when a staff in the second floor of the building started raised alarm and began to call for help.
According to Mr. Obiorah, they were helpless and managed to call the men of the Anambra state fire service who responded swiftly.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the Pharmaceutical Office and adjoining store occupied by staff of Corixus of Nigeria, a pharmaceutical company within the Secretariat, were gutted by the fire as equipment, documents, and files were all burnt .
With the intervention of the fire fighters, few shelves and office cabinet were saved from another room close to the one on fire. The office walls were seen cracked and cement walls falling down as the fire raged.
In an interview, the Fire Chief of Anambra state fire service, Mr. Chiketa Chukwudi who led his personnel to the scene, said the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as efforts were still being made to put out the fire completely.
Mr. Chiketa, however called on residents and staff of various government offices to always have fire extinguishers handy and make effort to reach fire service on time to enable them respond swiftly.
Also reacting through a press statement,
spokesperson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, SC. Okadigbo Edwin
noted that due to the timely intervention, property estimated at over N200 billion was saved from destruction.
“While the actual cause of the fire is still under investigation, preliminary findings suggest a power surge as the likely cause. Normalcy has since been restored at the Federal Secretariat and investigations are ongoing’ Okadigbo stated.
NSCDC Anambra State Commandant, Comdt. Maku Olatunde, while reacting on the incidence, stated that the prompt response by the Corps underscores its commitment to safeguarding government facilities and infrastructure across the State.
He commended the gallantry of the Disaster Management Team and urged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to conduct regular electrical audits and adhere strictly to safety protocols.
