Fire service saves 10 lives, property worth N4.67B in 3 months

The Akwa Ibom Fire Service Department said on Sunday that it saved 10 lives and property worth N4.67 billion in the fire outbreaks in the state between July and September, 2016.

The Head of Fire Service in the state, Mr Ndareke Ukpe, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo.

Ukpe said that firemen attended to 29 fire calls, comprising four from petrol stations, five from market stores, 15 from residential buildings and five from government buildings.

He attributed the causes of fire outbreaks to carelessness and use of fake electrical materials in homes.

He advised landlords and contractors in the state to be mindful of electrical materials used in wiring buildings.

‘We attended to 29 calls from the people within private and government establishments in the state and saved 10 lives and property worth N4.67 billion.

“A firebreak does not just occur but is caused by carelessness and use of fake electrical installations in buildings.

“We are committed to ensuring that our department responds to fire calls within record time so that minimal loss is recorded,” he said.

Ukpe urged the residents to promptly report fire outbreaks to the service to minimize losses.

He advised people to take other safety measures such as putting off all electrical appliances before leaving home.

The fire officer warned the people to avoid bush burning, especially now that the dry season was setting in.

He appealed to Akwa Ibom Government to recruit more hands into the service and provide the department with adequate equipment to enable it to cope with its challenges.