Anambra Bizman Blames Depression for Setting Own House Ablaze

By Praise Chinecherem

A middle-aged man was on Sunday rescued alive after setting ablaze his duplex apartment in Ezinifite, Okpuno in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The man, a dealer of building materials from Abakiliki, Ebonyi state was said to have committed the arson over lingering depression following unresolved brawl with wife and children.

Anambra Daily gathered that the wife had connived with the kids to seize the papers of the property, including one of the sons who reportedly fled with part of his wealth.

A neighbour who identified himself as Ulasi Obiora alleged that the man’s intention was to wipe away his entire family, including himself.

He said, “The man poured fuel inside their bedroom and put fire which spread parts of the building before the arrival of men of fire service.

“I learnt he’s having various issues with the wife but no one expected he would go to that extent. Thank God everyone in the house escaped before the fire engulfed the building.”

Confirming the incident, State Fire Chief, Engr. Dr. Martin Agbili described it as case of arson, saying the building was already in flames when his men arrived.

He said although some property were destroyed, no life was lost to the inferno.

He further revealed that two other residential apartments were gutted by fire same day in various locations within the state capital.

According to him, one of the inferno occurred at at Ugwu Tank, Amawbia in lockup shops, while the other happened at Obiano Close, Rockland Estate, Awka.

He said while the Amawbia inferno was caused by power outage, that of Rockland estate was a result of explosion of inverter batteries.

A statement by Agbili partly reads, “The fire incident at the Woman Lecturer Area, Obinagu, Ezinifite, Okpuno was purely as a case of arson. The owner of the house deliberately ignited fire in his house.

He however said no life was lost in all the fire outbreaks, including the one caused by the owner, who he confirmed was rescued alive.

He said, “At about 0159hrs (1.59am), Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak at Ugwu Tank, Amawbia in lock up shops. The cause of fire outbreak was POWER SURGE.

“We deployed our fire truck and firefighters. The fire was controlled and extinguished. Some shops were partly burnt with it goods. We withdrew from the fire scene at about 0345hrs (3.45am)

“At about 1524hrs (3.45pm), Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak in a residential home (duplex) at Obiano Close, Rockland Estate, Awka.

The cause of fire outbreak was as a result of explosion of inverter batteries. We deployed our fire truck and firefighters. The fire was controlled and extinguished. The building was partly burnt. We withdrew from the fire scene at about 1648hrs (4.48pm)

“At about 1829hrs (6.29pm), Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak in a residential home (duplex) at around Woman Lecturer Area, Obinagu, Ezinifite, Okpuno.

“The cause of fire outbreak was ARSON. The owner of the house deliberately ignite fire in his house. The man was saved. No life was lost.

“We deployed our fire truck and firefighters. The fire was controlled and extinguished. The roof was badly burnt and building was partly affected. We withdrew from the fire scene at about 2047hrs (8.47pm).”