The Enugu State Government, on Saturday, called on residents of the state to take precaution against fire outbreaks, during this dry season.
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The state Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Okwudili Ohaa, gave the warning during a fire safety awareness campaign to sensitize residents to adopt measures against fire.
The awareness campaign also covered distribution of fire service emergency numbers and other emergency numbers of the state.
Ohaa said that the state government had taken various measures to curtail incidences of fire outbreaks in the state.
“This awareness campaign is part of the Enugu State Fire Service sensitization program meant to inform, educate and enlighten residents of the state on the best measures to prevent fire incidences.
“It also covers precautionary measures to take at any point of fire outbreak and the need to contact the state fire service on time,’’ he said.
Ohaa noted that as part of efforts to improve the efficiency of fire officers, the government had provided five new fire-fighting trucks.
According to him, the government has given approval for purchase of rapid response vehicles as well.
Also speaking, the Zonal Commanding Officer, Nsukka Fire Station, Mr. Obinna Omebi, advised residents to always raise alarm in case of any fire outbreak.
Omebi urged them to leave the building to muster points and call the attention of the fire service immediately.
He identified carelessness, arson and natural occurrence as major causes of fire outbreaks.
One of the beneficiaries of the awareness campaign, Mr Okechukwu Ngwu, said the training on the right use of fire extinguisher had equipped him with the right information on how to prevent fire outbreaks in an environment.
The awareness campaign train moved around Enugu metropolis, passing through Major Markets, Agbani Road, Ziks Avenue through Ogui Road and terminated at Fire Service Station in Otigba Junction in New Haven.
The National Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Fire Service were part of the fire safety awareness campaign.
NAN recalls that the state witnessed a fire incident in the popular Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, during the last yuletide, for a repeated time.