ABIA & IMO STATES RECORD 127 FIRE INCIDENTS IN 6 MONTHS —FEDERAL FIRE SERVICE

REPORTER: UGONNA AGU

The Federal Fire Service Zone J, comprising Imo and Abia States, says it recorded 127 fire outbreaks in the last six months.

The Assistant Controller General in charge of the zone, Mrs. Ijeoma Achi, stated this while speaking with Radio Nigeria on measures to curb fire outbreaks.

Mrs. Achi noted that most of the fire outbreaks recorded were caused by petroleum product spillage, unquenched cigarette butt and unguarded Bush burning.

She said the zone had organised several sensitization programmes to educate the masses on fire preventive measures.

Mrs. Achi called on Imo residents to always turn off their all electronic gadgets while going out of their homes and also ensure all electric wires are well connected.

She also advised people to equip their residences and offices with fire preventive measures, including fire extinguisher, fire blanket, fire alarms and sand bucket.

“Wherever they see the fire truck of federal fire service, out on the road, they should give us right of road. It is an emergency, between life and death.

“Avoid anything that can ignite fire. Be it at home, in the business premise, in the office or even in the farm,” Mrs. Achi advised.

The Federal Fire Service Zone J boss disclosed that the zone was making efforts to open a sub station at Mgbirichi in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state, for easy accessibility to people in that area.

According to Mrs. Achi, the Federal Fire Service, while training its officers to be abreast with modern fire fighting techniques, is also collaborating with the Nigerian Air Force on how to use fire jets to combat wild bush burning in the country

“We have enough fire truck. Immediately any of them moves to fire and there’s another fire, there will be a back up.

“There’s another truck we have, we call it rapid intervention. If there’s any fire incident, that one will tackle it immediately before bigger one come in. We also have a well equipped life support ambulance,” Zonal Fire Chief boasted.

Mrs Achi emphasised that the services of the Federal Fire Service were free of charge and advised residents of the state to call the toll free number 112 or emergency numbers 08092002224 or 09014366957 in fire emergency situations.