Survivors of Abia blaze share tales of N140m devastation, appeal for state assistance

Victims of the devastating fire that ravaged a petroleum filling station in Nkwoegwu Community, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, are seeking assistance from the state government to recover from their losses. The fire outbreak has left a trail of destruction, with the victims appealing for help to rebuild their livelihoods.

n

Mr Chinonso Ahamefula, the owner of the filling station, recounted the horrific incident that occurred on Sunday, June 14, at about 6:15 p.m., when fuel was being offloaded from a tanker, and the fire suddenly engulfed the station despite efforts to extinguish it. He noted that the fire spread rapidly, with the tanker catching fire without any warning signs, and the staff attempting to put it out with fire extinguishers, water, and sand.

n

The Abia State Fire Service responded promptly to the emergency, arriving at the scene and working tirelessly for over six to seven hours to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby shops and buildings. The fire service's intervention was instrumental in minimizing the damage, with the community members also lending a hand in the effort.

n

According to Mr Ahamefula, the fire destroyed the station's fuel pumps, solar system, and other infrastructure, resulting in losses of about N140 million, with the tanker itself being burnt beyond use and adjacent shops also suffering damage. The total damage, including a provision store whose refrigerator and goods were destroyed, amounts to N140 million.

n

The filling station's closure has left the community without a vital service, with Mr Ahamefula pleading with the governor to provide assistance to rebuild the station, which is the only one serving the area. He expressed his gratitude to the fire service and the community for their support but is overwhelmed by the scale of the loss and is seeking help to start anew.

n

Another victim of the fire, Mrs Oluchi Nwosu, lamented that her family has been left homeless after the inferno destroyed their house and shop, with nothing salvaged from the fire. She appealed to the government and concerned individuals to provide assistance to help them rebuild their lives.

n

Mrs Nwosu expressed her gratitude that no lives were lost in the fire but emphasized the need for help to rebuild, with her brother, who manages the filling station, also requiring support. She noted that the fire was an accident and not intentional, and she is seeking aid to help her family recover from the devastating loss.

n

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Mr Chukwunenye Alajemba, acknowledged the prompt response of the Abia State Fire Service, which helped prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. He confirmed that the fire service received a report of the fire at 6:35 p.m. on June 14 and arrived at the scene by 6:50 p.m. to find the tanker engulfed in flames.

n

Mr Alajemba highlighted the effectiveness of the fire service's response, with firefighters containing the blaze to the station and tanker, preventing it from spreading to a hospital, shops, and other buildings. He noted that additional trucks were deployed from Aba, and the Federal Fire Service assisted in the effort, with no casualties recorded.

n

The prompt response, according to Mr Alajemba, reflects Governor Alex Otti's investment in emergency services over the past two years, with the state's Fire and Emergency Services being well-equipped to handle such incidents. He urged residents to contact the fire service on 09032858657 or the medical emergency line on 0813356900 during emergencies.

n

Mr Alajemba also emphasized the importance of certified fire extinguishers in containing fires in their early stages and noted that the governor is a listening leader who follows due process and will review the request for rebuilding assistance accordingly. He assured that the governor will consider the request and provide support to help the victims recover from the fire.