The Anambra State Fire Service has prevented a major disaster at the Federal Secretariat in Awka following a fire outbreak that affected a store and an adjoining office on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident, which occurred at about 3:00 p.m., reportedly affected facilities occupied by staff of Corixus of Nigeria, a pharmaceutical company.
Director of the Anambra State Fire Service, Engr. Chiketa Chukwudemanuel, said firefighters responded swiftly to the distress call and successfully contained the fire before it could spread to other parts of the building.
According to him, the estimated damage was about N1 million, while property worth an estimated N200 billion was reportedly protected from destruction.
Chiketa said the exact cause of the fire was still under investigation, although a power surge was suspected.
He stressed the importance of having functional fire extinguishers in homes, offices and public buildings, noting that they are most effective when used at the early stage of a fire.
The Fire Service director also urged members of the public to learn how to operate fire extinguishers properly to prevent minor fire incidents from escalating into major disasters.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Public Relations Officer of the National Orientation Agency, Mr. Anthony Obiora, said some workers attempted to put out the fire but were unable to effectively use the available fire extinguishers due to a lack of proper knowledge.
Obiora urged workers and residents to immediately contact the Fire Service whenever a fire outbreak occurs, while also emphasising the need for regular fire safety training.
The fire has since been brought under control, with investigations continuing to determine its actual cause.
The incident has again highlighted the importance of fire safety preparedness and prompt emergency response, particularly in large public facilities.
