Igwuruta Fire: One Incident, Many Tragedies

Amidst pandemonium and tears, a family of five was burnt to ashes penultimate Saturday. Their bones were found on what remained of their bed. Two others were also roasted to death, while many sustained various degree of injuries. Property worth N150 million were destroyed, among which were over 25 buildings, electrical appliances, cash and other valuables.

At one end of the Igwuruta Roundabout was a petrol tanker roasting in flames. At the other end were sympathizers and men and women who struggled to quell the fire that had spread as far as about 150 meters away.

All these happened in one full swoop in an inferno that rocked Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to reports, the fire incident was caused by a petrol tanker that skidded off the road and fell on its side, spilling over 33,000 litres of fuel that burst into flames. The incident which occurred at about 4.30am when most people were still on bed caused outbreak that claimed six lives including a pregnant woman, her husband and two children. It was a mourning weekend for the people and residents of Igwuruta community.

The incident was so pathetic such that when Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi visited the scene some hours later, he almost burst into tears.

“It is so disastrous. I hear an entire family is gone, husband, wife and their children. Now, look at the level of damage”, Amaechi who was accompanied by his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru and Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker, lamented in an emotion ladened voice.

Eye witnesses said the death toll might be higher as scores of people sustained serious burns and were rushed to nearby hospitals.

An eyewitness, Mr Blessing Amadi who was one of the people that helped quell the fire with buckets of water and detergent said “I don’t believe that the number of people that died is just six as reported. With what happened that day, the number would be more than that”.

Investigation shows that but for the timely intervention of the youth in the area, former member of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Emmanuel Okata would probably have lost his life and that of his household.

Hon Okata who resides in the area said “the youths of Igwuruta saved me, my household and property”.

The buildings of the former lawmaker, according to sources, were about to be touched when Igwuruta youth quickly saved the situation by putting off the fire with water, sand and other materials. Although the entrance gate to the main building and parts of the fence were touched, Hon Okata was full of gratitude to God and the youth for saving his life and that of his entire household and property.

To this effect, Hon Okata and his family have scheduled a thanksgiving ceremony for April 8 in appreciation of what God has done for him.

“What if my building and properties that are parts of my life were destroyed? I can’t thank God enough”, he said.

Mr Clifford Umegbu, a landlord in the community was not that lucky. The man, according to reports, lost 20 houses with about 150 rooms and a cash of N250,000 to the inferno. Same for a butcher, Mr Samuel Iwuchukwu who reportedly lost N800,000 to the blaze.

Residents believe that the situation would have been put under control if the fire-fighting service had responded urgently.

According to a female resident who pleaded anonymity, the non-response of the fire service at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, which was close to the scene, was disappointing. The fire service was said to have complained of not having enough capacity to respond to the situation.

Investigation also shows that it took two fire-fighting vehicles from the State government fire service more than two hours to respond. This, according to sources, provoked angry reactions from the Igwuruta youth. The irate youths allegedly vandalized the fire-fighting vehicles when they discovered that the fire-fighters came without water. Six of the fire-fighters were said to have been injured in the process.

The State Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Emeka Worgu who described the fire incident as very painful, however condemned the attack on the fire-fighters. According to him, the attack on the fire-fighters from the State government fire service that tried to rescue the situation was unnecessary.

The Peoples Democratic Party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr George Ukwuofa-Nwogba, also condemned what it described as the “irrational reaction” of some youths who had prevented fire-fighters from the Rivers State Fire Service from rendering their legitimate service.

“Had the fire men on duty been allowed by the youths to perform their work, the level of destruction would have been arrested,” the statement said.

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has come under heavy criticism for not responding to the situation. The company was being accused of insensitivity to the welfare and lives of its host.

The paramount ruler of Umuohia community in Igwuruta, Chief Samuel Amadi told The Tide in an interview that when the incident occurred, the SPDC was called upon to make available its fire-fighting service at Agbada II flow station, which is a few metres away from the scene; but the company refused to respond.

“If the company (SPDC) had responded, those who died and the properties that were lost would have been saved”, Chief Amadi said.

The paramount ruler who was visibly angry described the SPDC’s attitude as the height of insensitivity to the plight of its host community which it claims to enjoy harmonious relationship with.

“If the State Fire Service that is far away from the area (Igwuruta) could make an attempt, what excuse does the SPDC that resides in the area have?

“This act portrays Shell as a bad, insensitive and wicked neighbour. Igwuruta, particularly Umuoha Community, has taken serious note of SPDC’s wickedness”, he said.

All efforts to get the SPDC’s response to this allegation proved abortive.

The Nye-We-Ali of Igwuruta, HRH Eze Samuel Wekhe (Prof) who also spoke with our correspondent, described the fire incident as an unfortunate one that has left victims in sorrow.

While commending the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Amaechi and his wife for personally visiting the scene for first hand assessment, the royal father also appealed to the State government to look at the remote and immediate causes of the accident, and as well assist in rehabilitating the victims.

“Probably as the tanker driver was driving in the night, he might have slept off; he might also have been over-speeding or the vehicle might have had some problems. Government can take a general look and may be decide that tankers do not drive (ply the roads) at night”.

The royal father also argued that the Igwuruta Roundabout was not wide and conducive enough for long vehicles to maneuver. This, according to him, should make the State government think of expanding the roundabout or construct a new one that can serve the growing population of Igwuruta for the next 20 to 30 years.

Besides the Igwuruta Roundabout which is said to be difficult for long vehicles to maneuver, the Igwuruta road has been in a state of disrepair for the past two years. This, according to sources, has led to about four accidents in recent times.

A community leader, Chief Ernest Wosu who confirmed that the Igwuruta Round-About had witnessed many accidents in the past, appealed to the State government to expand the roundabout and possibly construct a fly-over around the place to reduce regular accidents.

In view of this incident and others before it, Governor Amaechi has promised to reconstruct the road around the Igwuruta roundabout, which is a federal road. This, according to him, would ensure free flow of traffic and avert similar tragic accidents in future.

While pledging his government’s readiness to provide necessary assistance to the families of those affected by the fire incident, the Rivers State Chief Executive also expressed his administration’s determination to reduce drivers’ recklessness on the roads.

“We must reduce the level of irresponsibility of some road users. I have just directed the commissioner for Special Duties to identify the families and let us see how much we can assist them”, he stated.

Since the tragic event 10 days ago, many people have paid sympathy visits to the Nye-We-Ali Igwuruta and his Council of Chiefs. Among the sympathizers were the Ikwerre Development Association (IDA) led by its President, Mr Chris Chinwo and the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government, Hon. Welendu Amadi who pledged his council’s readiness to assist the surviving victims and the families of the dead.

Boye Salau with reports from Chris Oluoh