By Praise Chinecherem
Men of Anambra State Fire Service on Tuesday had a 6-hour battle in attempt to extinguish fire outbreak at timber market in Nnewi, industrial town of the State.
The fire fighters, same day also averted an explosion in a gas plant after controlling another fire from burning bush behind the plant.
The Nation gathered that the Nnewi inferno which started around 11am from a gully heap of saw-dust in the market raised thick smoke that covered the market.
Eyewitness said the fire nearly spread to the entire market but for quick response of the fire men.
Similarly, the inferno behind the gas plant,
which occurred around 9pm, was reportedly controlled by fire fighters who arrived the scene shortly.
Confirming both incidents, State Fire Chief, Engr. Dr. Martin Agbili said no life was lost in the infernos which he said caused panic within the environs.
While he linked the Awka fire to bush burning by yet-to-be identified persons, Agbili said the cause of Nnewi inferno was yet to be ascertained.
He said, “At about 2122hrs (9.22pm) of Tuesday 06-02-2024, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of heavy Fire outbreak behind SINAI Gas plant, Awka
“Immediately, we deployed our fire truck and gallant Firefighters to scene of fire and fought, controlled and extinguished the fire.
“The cause of the Fire was Bush Fire which was started by unknown person (s) and caused a lot of panic within that environ.
“During the firefighting operations, we were able to control the fire and saved the gas plant and no life was lost.
“We withdrew from the fire scene at about 2241hrs (10.41pm) after fighting the fire to standstill and calming the situation.
“It is also important that we clear all bushes around our environment especially at this dry season and harmattan to avoid had I known.”
On the Nnewi timber market inferno, Agbili said, “At about 1130hrs (11:30am) Tuesday 06-02-2024, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak at Timber Market, Nnewi.
“Immediately, we deployed our fire trucks and gallant firefighters to the fire scene to fight, control and extinguish the fire.
“The cause of the fire outbreak is unknown but it emanated from the gully heep of saw-dust which threw smoke that covered the market but no life was lost.
“The timber market was completely saved due to timely intervention of our Firefighters.
“The heavy fire was battled till about 1740hrs (5.40pm).”
Appreciating those who alerted his men on time about the incident, Agbili reminded residents that time of distress call would always determine time of response.
