…Says fire stems from deficient electrification system within affected areas of market
By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The Kaduna State Command of the Federal Fire Service has said the unfortunate fire incident that engulfed Panteka Plywood Market on January 17, where approximately 250 batcher shops were affected was successfully controlled with zero casualties.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Controller, Federal Fire Service, Kaduna Command, Usman Mahmud Sadiq, made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Friday.
The statement stated that while the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, it has been determined that the fire was not a result of a natural accident but rather negligence stemming from a deficient electrification system within the affected areas of the market.
The Command therefore issued a stern reminder regarding the paramount importance of safe electricity installations and practices, saying it is a collective responsibility that demands serious consideration to prevent fire outbreaks.
Even as the Command extends its sympathy to the Kaduna State Government and the affected shop owners; it reiterated that the Command remain dedicated to providing essential support, including timely response, training, inspection, and investigation, to the affected traders and the broader community.
The statement said a collaborative effort involving the Federal Fire Service Kaduna State Command, NEMA, SEMA, and Kaduna State Fire Service is underway to investigate the root cause of the fire incident at Panteka Plywood Market.
In view of above, the statement said, it is aimed to develop a sustainable solution to prevent such occurrences in our marketplaces.
The statement read in part, “Recognizing the significant impact on the livelihoods of those affected, we express our heartfelt empathy and assure continuous support and commitment toward providing improved, effective, and efficient services to prevent future incidents, aligning with our mandate.
“We urge the public to save emergency contact numbers for the Command’s stations throughout the state, considering the proximity to individual residences and businesses for swift responses in case of unforeseen emergencies.
“Additionally, we implore residents to report fire incidents and other emergencies promptly to our office, emphasizing the importance of adopting preventive measures such as maintaining functional fire extinguishers, refraining from altering the market’s master plan, and engaging in periodic inspections, basic training, and certification with our office.
“In collaboration with key stakeholders in the state, the Federal Fire Service Kaduna State Command is preparing to host a conference on ‘Incessant Fire Outbreaks and the Role of Key Stakeholders in Ensuring a Lasting Solution.’ Details will be announced soon.
“We reassure the residents of Kaduna State that these unfortunate incidents will not deter us from our core objective of ensuring a safe environment for business operations 24/7.”