The Controller of Abia State Fire Service, Chief Victor Gbaruko has revealed that his men fought a total of 350 fire outbreaks in 2020 while five have been recorded so far in 2021.
Gbaruko made the disclosure in Aba, weekend, while reviewing the activities of the fire service in the past years and the plans to combat fire outbreaks in 2021.
He pointed out that the 2020 figure of 350 meant 40 less when compared to 390 recorded in 2019, stressing that 12 human casualties were recorded in 2019 fire outbreaks.
The controller warned fuel station owners not to discharge liquefied gas from tankers when the dispensing of Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS) is on, to avoid igniting fire incident, while also cautioning residents against keeping their gas cylinders inside their kitchens, as according to him, most fire incidents at homes were caused by gas explosions.
On what his office is doing to control the situation, Gbaruko said that elaborate enlightenment campaigns had started in 2011 with about 207 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) been trained by the fire service after which they would be deployed to various LGAs to work as vanguards in fire prevention and safety techniques.
He further attributed the rise in fire disaster to activities of animal hunters who set some bushes on fire when chasing animals, adding that many fresh farms were destroyed in such incidents, resulting in food scarcity and economic waste to farmers.
“Umuahia station alone has fought fire outbreaks in just two days between January 5 and 7, 2021, arising mainly from cooling gas problems. Last night, we attended to a fire outbreak at the Umuahia mechanic village which brought the numbers to five in just two days”, he said.
He however stated that the fire service does not attend to all bush fires as the proximity of such bushes to people’s homes and facilities are considered before his men and facilities are deployed.
This, the controller said, is to avoid wasting water and chemicals while commending Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his support for the fire service, through provision of equipment and interest in workers’ welfare.
