Anambra State Government is worried over the incessant and preventable fire outbreaks being recorded in different parts of the state and, therefore, urges the citizens of the state to prioritize fire safety measures in residential and public buildings, markets, and other business premises.
This follows the two fire incidents recorded on Friday, February 16, 2024 at a residential building at Rockland Estate, Awka and at a telecommunication mast in Agu Awka.
Already, the state has recorded 24 fire incidents between September, 2023 and February 16, 2024. In January, 2024 , there were nine fire incidents in different parts of the state while there is already eight outbreaks this month alone. This gives grave concerns especially given the fact that most of the incidents were preventable.
While the Anambra State Fire Service headed by the Fire Chief, Engr Martins Agbili, must be commended for averting the fires and preventing any loss of human life and huge loss to property, there is need that Ndị Anambra partner the state government to *PREVENT* fires from happening at all.
They are advised to always ensure that all electrical appliances are switched off when not in use; that repairs and engineering works on electrical connections are carried out by trained professionals; avoid indiscriminate bush burning; install fire extinguishers or hydrants where necessary and invite the State Fire Service to conduct thorough fire audits in residential and public buildings under construction. Some of these measures are necessary to prevent these fire outbreaks.
The state government promises on its part to increase the response time of the state fire service to any fire emergency anywhere in the state through the acquisition of more fire trucks, training of personnel and setting up of fire stations in all the twenty-one local government areas and closer to all the major markets in the state.