fire+incident
Update on Ochanja
fire+incident
Update on Ochanja Market Fire: Angry Mob Stop
Firefighters From Getting to the Scene
The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Liman
Ibrahim Alhaji is deeply saddened by the unfortunate fire outbreak
that occurred on Wednesday at Ochanja Market, Onitsha, Anambra
State.
The CG expresses his heart felt condolences to the families who
lost loved ones and sincere sympathy to those who lost properties
in that incident.
The Federal Fire Service received a call about the fire outbreak
at about 2pm. The control room at the headquarters in Abuja
immediately turned out the nearest Federal Fire Service Station at
Asaba, Delta State to attend to the fire. Our men immediately
headed to the scene but it was not possible to contend with the
heavy traffic at the head bridge and behaviour of angry mob who
pelted stones at them. Thus, it was not possible for the
firefighters to get to the Scene and fight the fire in such a
hostile environment.
The Federal Fire Service is committed to ensuring the safety of
lives and Property, With the procurement of new state of the art
firefighting trucks distributed to the 12 zones of the Service
across the nation, the Service is always ready to respond to fire
outbreaks and other emergencies across the nation and worthy to
note that similar situations in recent past in Sokoto, Uyo, Minna,
Ibadan, Osun and Lagos were prevented from escalating to a major
disaster by Fire Service.
The case of Ochanja market was an unfortunate one, as one will
wonder why individuals will want to attack firefighters that came
to help put out fire that was threatening lives and ravaging
property.
The Service will like to use this opportunity to appeal to
Nigerians that in as much as the Fire Service is prepared and
committed to saving of lives and property in emergencies, their
support and cooperation is highly needed to do that.
We remain committed to our mandate of saving lives and Property
of Nigerians and others residing in Nigeria.
DSF Ugo Huan
Public Relations Officer,
Federal Fire Service,
Headquarters,
Abuja