Fire Engulfs Imo Deputy Governor’s House, Others

File Photo: A house razed by fire to illustrate the story

The Imo State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere ‘s house, has been razed down by fire in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Naija News gathered that the fire which occurred on Wednesday and Thursday gutted other houses at different locations in the state including, popular Owerri joint, Ogwa Village, and Chris-T Gas Station, Egbu, Choco Foods in Mbaitoli, and G-Towers Hotel.

It was learnt that bush burning by some residents caused the fire that engulfed the deputy governor’s lodge and Ibari Ogwa Village, while a wrong mixture of chemicals led to the fire that consumed Choco Foods.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, told Punch that no life was lost in all the fire incidents.

“No life was lost in all the fire incidents. The police were visible and we ensured that no further damage was caused by the fire incident at the gas station. We condoned off the area and equally contacted professional firefighters,” Enwerem said.

The Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Uche Onwuchekwa, disclosed that property, including a vehicle belonging to his boss’ press crew worth N10m, were lost to the fire.

He said, “What is most important is that no life was lost. Men of the Imo State Fire Service, the deputy governor’s security aides, and some of his housekeepers helped to salvage the situation.”

The state Commissioner for Public Safety, Chidi Nwaturuocha, said, “I was in Mbaitoli to help put out the fire at Choco Foods. It was there that I got a call that Ibari Ogwa was also on fire. I had to organise our fire service men, who raced down to the place to curtail the fire from reaching other buildings within the complex.

“The fire was a case of bush burning by some neighbours or hunters within the nearby bush. So it happened that the harmattan wind blew up the fire which rested on the thatched roof of the security house. From there, it spread to other buildings. Our fire service men were able to curtail the fire from spreading,” he said.

The commissioner therefore, urged business outfit owners to always engage the services of professionals, especially during the harmattan season.