Fire Razes Bungalow, Destroys Property

A mid-day inferno last Saturday razed a bungalow-apartment in Abakaliki and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

No life was lost in the incident which affected No. 18 Onuora Street, near the popular Abakaliki Rice Mill.

The family of 15, owners of the building, were said to be on vacation in their village for the Christmas/ New Year celebrations when the inferno started and completely razed the building before rescue efforts could be mobilized.

Mr Ikechukwu Nwafor, the Head of the family told NAN that he received a telephone call that his house was on fire and before he could return, the house had been completely razed.

“I have been living in Abakaliki for the past 30 years and all I have laboured to acquire such as cash, property and vital documents were destroyed by the fire. “I don’t know the cause of the fire and why it defied efforts by neighbours and other residents of  the area to douse it”

His wife,  Felicia Nwafor,  while bemoaning the loss of the building, thanked God that her family members were not inside the building when the incident occurred.

“Despite this setback, God has miraculously shown my family that he will guide us all through this year,” she said. Nwafor, however, appealed to the government and well meaning individuals and organisations for assistance to enable the family start life afresh. Mr Herbert Nwokoha, the Assistant Chief Fire Officer of the Ebonyi Fire Service, said that the service was not alerted about the inferno.

“We could have reacted promptly if informed, as we did to the over 250 fire calls we received in 2011.

“We advise residents to promptly report fire incidents to the service and ensure that they switch off their electrical appliances, in addition to other precautionary measures against fire outbreaks.’’

Mr Igboke Umunna, the Executive Secretary of Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), told newsmen that he had visited the scene of the incident and carried out necessary assessments.

“The report on the incident will be complied on Monday and submitted to the appropriate quarters for possible assistance.”