Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed following a fire outbreak in Okuku, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State on Thursday night.
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The fire reportedly began in a bungalow and quickly spread to nearby buildings before it could be brought under control.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), residents, including youths and women in the community, made efforts to salvage some belongings from the affected homes.
An eyewitness in Cross River, Benjamin Ogar, told NAN that the incident was caused by a power surge from public electricity supply.
“This fire was caused by electric power surge, and I can tell you that a lot was lost in the main building affected by the inferno
“This type of large-scale destruction can be avoided if there is an effective fire service department.
“As soon as the fire started, we rushed to the fire station but discovered that they have nothing to work with,” he said.
Nsikak Abang, another eyewitness, urged the Cross River government to revamp fire stations across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the poor state of fire service stations in the state pose danger to lives and property.
“I am aware that the situation is the same in Calabar and Ogoja, something has to be done quickly.
“If the government is serious about public safety, it should equip fire service stations because emergencies don’t ring bells,” he pleaded.
When contacted, Mr Emmanuel Ajom, the Director, Cross River State Fire Service, said that the service’s fire trucks were currently under maintenance.
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