Ebonyi firefighters arrive two hours late as fire razes storey building

A devastating fire incident in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, has once again highlighted critical lapses in emergency response services. The one-storey building on Onwe Road was engulfed in flames on Saturday evening, causing extensive damage and panic among residents. The situation was made more harrowing by the near-fatal incident involving 13-month-old twins, whose lives were endangered when their mother briefly stepped out.

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We suspect the fire may have been caused by either a filled gas cylinder or an electrical appliance that was not switched off before electricity was restored. The sound from the building was loud and explosive.

Eyewitness accounts suggest the fire may have been triggered by a gas cylinder or an electrical appliance following the restoration of power, accompanied by a loud, explosive sound. This has fueled speculation and concern among locals about the safety measures in place. The delay in the arrival of the Ebonyi State Fire Service, reportedly over two hours late and citing a lack of fuel, has drawn sharp criticism and exposed a worrying inadequacy in essential public services.

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It is worrisome that while the fire was burning, no firefighting officials were anywhere around the premises. We even called officials of the Ebonyi State Fire Service, and they said they did not have fuel to come. This is disturbing.

In a display of community spirit and swift action, the management and staff of Geneza Hotel played a crucial role in containing the blaze, using fire extinguishers and their water reservoir to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings. This local intervention underscores the importance of community preparedness and the shortcomings of official emergency services when they fail to respond promptly. The delayed arrival of firefighters, accompanied by police, amid fears of resident anger, paints a grim picture of the state's capacity to handle such emergencies.

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When we got there, the fire was already intense because it started from the upper floor before spreading downward. But there were no firefighters around.