Fire incident is a recurring problem of Nigeria. Yearly, cases of fire incidents are reported in the country without any sign of cessation. This is worrying. We should be careful whenever we are handling materials that can cause fire particularly petroleum material. Recently, Nigeria experienced one of her worst cases of fire incidents. According to reports, residents of Ojoo Area of Ibadan watched helplessly as fire from an oil tanker burnt their loved ones to ashes. More than twenty six people, including a nursing mother, died in the incident while several others suffered various degrees of burns. Those who suffered burns were rushed to hospitals in the area for medical attention. The incident occurred at Aduloju Community along Iwo-Ojoo Road. Apart from those who died and suffered injuries, several cars worth millions of naira were burnt to ashes. Eight buildings, including a church, were also destroyed by the fire. The Oyo State fire service later arrived the scene to put out the fire. But by the time they arrived, great destruction and death had been caused. The incident occurred on May 29, 2011. We are really touched by this incident. Petroleum Tanker drivers should be very careful whenever they are transporting what is highly inflammable. Now, the lives that have been lost cannot be regained. They have gone forever. That is why we should always take care whenever we are dealing with combustible materials.

In a similar development, the Central Bank of Nigeria building situated in the heart of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, was gutted by fire on July 1, 2011. The damage to the building was estimated at millions of naira. However, the arrival of the Bayelsa State Fire Service saved the building from further destruction. It will be recalled that fire outbreak was earlier reported in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. According to reports, houses and other properties were destroyed by the fire which occurred in Onopa, Yenagoa. The incident also claimed some lives, including a pregnant woman. It was further reported that the pregnant woman, Mrs Benita Olotu and her son, Paul, had just returned from a funeral when the incident happened. Mrs Olotu was tired and immediately retired to her room. She was asleep when the fire started and gutted her apartment. The fire could not be put out until after five hours. According to sources, the fire started when a dealer in adulterated fuel was refuelling a generator set that was on. Then there was a spark which resulted in the fire that spread to the whole community destroying many houses and other properties as already stated. In fact, no fewer than fifty houses were destroyed by the fire. Properties destroyed were estimated at billions of naira.

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Timipre Sylva, expressed shock at the extent of destruction caused by the fire. He promised to compensate the affected families; he directed that names of those affected should be compiled and sent to him, warning against inclusion of fake names. However, the main cause of the fire was a spark from a generator being fuelled with adulterated petrol by a dealer when it was on. This behaviour should be condemned and discouraged. Petrol should not be kept in living houses, let alone being fuelled into a generator set that was on. Another condemnable act was that the fuel was an adulterated one. Why must somebody be using an adulterated fuel to power a generator? Using adulterated petrol is very dangerous. The habit should stop.

Not long ago, fire outbreak was reported at the Nembe Jetty, Creek Road, Port Harcourt. One person died in the incident and a speedboat burnt. According to reports, the boat was filled to capacity with passengers and was about leaving the Jetty when it went up in flames following a spark in the engine. All the passengers except one managed to escape before the boat exploded. This was an unfortunate incident. We should always make sure that our electrical fittings and appliances are always in order. Care should always be taken with the way we fix our electrical fittings. If the fittings are well fixed, electric sparks will be rare. Faulty engines should also not be used in our speed boats. These could cause problems at any point of the voyage.

Nonetheless, fire outbreaks are caused by many factors. Storing of petrol in living houses and markets is one of the factors. Other causes include careless disposal of cigarette stubs in living houses, markets and offices. Adulterated fuel also causes fire. Power surge, electric sparks, illegal connection of electricity, lighted match, stoves, cookers and gas cylinders are all sources of fire. Some fire outbreaks are caused by human beings with evil intent. However, to check the high frequency of fire incidents the above mentioned sources of fire should be avoided.

Dr Tolofari, Distinguished Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Abuja.

Mann Tolofari