The Anambra State Authorities has expressed concern over the incessant hearth outbreaks recorded in numerous elements of the state.
The state Commissioner for Particular Duties, Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, expressed these considerations in a press assertion on Sunday, urging residents to prioritize hearth security measures in residential and public buildings, markets and different industrial premises.
This follows the 2 hearth incidents recorded on Friday at a residential constructing in Rockland Property, Awka, and at a telecommunications tower in Agu Awka.
The state has already recorded round 24 hearth incidents between September 2023 and February 16, 2024.
In January 2024, there have been round 9 hearth incidents in numerous elements of the state, whereas round eight hearth outbreaks occurred in February.
Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche stated: “This raises severe considerations, particularly contemplating that the majority incidents had been preventable.”
That is simply as one other hearth broke out behind the lads's hostel at Nnamdi Azikiwe College late on Saturday.
The State Hearth Marshal, Martin Agbili, who confirmed the incident, stated the fireplace began in a bush and after a couple of hours of battle to extinguish it, firefighters prevented entry to the lads's hostel.
Agbili stated: “Round 4.45pm on Saturday, the Anambra State Hearth Service acquired a misery name of heavy forest fires behind the Males’s Hostel in Unizik.
“We instantly despatched our hearth engine and firefighters to the scene of the fireplace and prevented it from getting into the lads's hostel.
“We fought, managed and extinguished the fireplace with the assistance of some UNIZIK safety personnel and a few college students.”
Whereas the Commissioner, on her half, counseled the firefighters, she burdened the necessity for residents of the state to cooperate with the state authorities in hearth prevention.
She stated: “Whereas the management of the Anambra State Hearth Service have to be counseled for averting the fires and stopping lack of life and main lack of property, there may be want for Ndị Anambra to work with the state authorities to forestall it from taking place within the first place fires happen.
“They’re suggested to at all times be certain that all electrical home equipment are switched off when not in use; that repairs and technical work on electrical connections are carried out by skilled professionals; keep away from indiscriminate burning of bushes; set up hearth extinguishers or hydrants the place vital; and invite the state hearth division to conduct thorough hearth audits of residential and public buildings beneath development.
“A few of these measures are vital to forestall these hearth outbreaks. The state authorities, on its half, guarantees to extend the response time of the state hearth service to any hearth emergency anyplace within the state by the acquisition of extra hearth tenders, coaching of personnel and establishing of fireplace stations in all 21 native authorities areas. and nearer to all main markets within the state.”
