… INEC Office Ogidi goes up in flames
… As seven persons sustain injuries in Onitsha
By Ndu Chris Nwannah, ATM Guest Writer
Seven persons have sustained varying degrees of injury following a fire that gutted a storey building in Onitsha, Anambra State. The incident occurred at 23 Emmanuel Church Road, Inland Town, Onitsha on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
A release by the Police Public Relations Office (PPRO), Anambra State Command, Mr. Haruna Mohammed, indicates that the fire was caused by an explosion from a newly procured gas cooker. He said the fire was put out with the help of local volunteers, following a distress call to the DPO, Inland Town Division, who arrived with his patrol team.
Also, the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Ogidi town in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State has been razed by fire. The fire which started in the morning of Sunday, February 2, destroyed the entire roof of the building, office furniture and other valuables.
The fire at Onitsha allegedly emanated from a recently procured gas cooker which exploded in the course of using it for the first time. The names of the seven persons that sustained injuries from the explosion are: Nonso Okafor (m), Nkechi Chinyere Okafor (f), Chisoba Okafor (m), Ebuka Okafor (m), Nwabuchi Chukwutor (m), Chialuka Nwabuchi (m) and Ifeoma Nwabuchi (f). Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the outbreak.
Following the distress call, a police patrol team led by DPO Onitsha inland town division rushed to the scene and the fire was put out by local volunteers.
PPRO Haruna Mohammed further noted that the injured persons had been taken to two hospitals in Onitsha for medical attention. He said that “the area was cordoned off to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation to loot. The casualties taken to Boromeo/Minas hospitals Onitsha for medical attention. No loss of life was sustained and victims are responding to treatment,” the PPRO said.
Haruna Mohammed also announced that the fire at the Ogidi office of INEC started around 12.30pm on Sunday.
A police patrol team led by DPO Ogidi Division rushed to the scene and the fire service department was contacted.
The property was cordoned off and effort is ongoing to put out the remaining embers of the fire and prevent the fire from spreading to other adjourning buildings.
The police statement claims that the INEC fire resulted from bush burning within the vicinity.
“The fire allegedly emanated from bush burning. However, the extent of damages done is yet to be determined,” the PPRO said.
The Commissioner of Police, CP John B. Abang, has ordered for an immediate investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident, Mr Haruna Mohammed said.
