Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed after a fire gutted Exclusive Bar, a popular hangout spot in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday at the bar located along Health Centre Road, near a hospital and the state headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
According to reports, staff on duty and residents of the World Bank area made frantic efforts to contain the blaze while alerting the Abia State Fire Service.
BenriNews gathered that firefighters who arrived at the scene helped extinguish the fire, preventing it from spreading to the adjacent hospital and nearby buildings.
When contacted on Wednesday, the Chief Fire Officer of Abia State Fire Service, Nnanna Arua, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
"Our men were mobilized to the location to stop the fire," Arua stated. He noted that the Fire Service was not immediately informed when the fire first broke out, which may have contributed to the extent of the damage.
While official investigations have not been concluded, Arua revealed that preliminary findings suggest the fire outbreak might have originated from a power surge.
The Chief Fire Officer used the opportunity to advise Abia residents on fire safety measures. "We strongly recommend that residents install fire extinguishers in their homes, offices, and business centers," he said, emphasizing the importance of promptly contacting the Fire Service whenever there is a fire outbreak.
The incident has raised concerns about fire safety protocols in commercial establishments across the state capital, with local business owners reviewing their emergency response procedures.
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