Fire Guts Part Of Tide Office

There was pandemonium yesterday as workers on duty at the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide  groups of newspapers ran helter-skelter to save their lives following a fire outbreak that occurred in the head office of the corporation.

The incident which occurred at about 3.00pm originated from the second floor of the main building housing the General Manager’s Office, Administration Department, Accounts Section and the record unit.

The Acting Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr Gift Odoi, who narrated the incident said “one of the guards, Mr Nwinwi Micah, who resumed duty in the afternoon was going round and noticed fire on the ceiling and quickly raised alarm which at the initial stage created panic as most staff on duty started shouting and running for their lives.”

According to him, he had to rush to the top floor with the security men on duty and other brave staff where they saw the ceiling burning.

“The engineer on duty quickly disconnected the wires while we started fighting the fire with water and whatever material in sight that could help and by the special Grace of God we succeeded in saving the situation by putting the fire off,” he said.

Commenting further, the electrical engineer on duty, Mr Mike Iminabo, said the case may not be unconnected with wires and other electrical installations.

Speaking on the incident, the General Manager of the corporation, Mr Celestine Ogolo commended the workers for their bravery and thanked God for his protection.

The general manager said he has already briefed the Rivers State Commissioner for Information/ Communcation, Mrs Ibim Semenitari and that the corporation would forward a formal report to the ministry tomorrow.

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi (middle) addresses newsmen after state Executive Council meeting yesterday, while Dr Sampson Parker, Health Commissioner (right) Kingsley Chinda, Environment Commissioner (left) and another exco member, watch.