Fire outbreak has gutted a section of the Rivers State Secretariat on Monday.

The Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. Mrs Inyingi S. I. Brown, who confirmed the incident, said there were no casualties.

Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the incident, Ground Floor of Podium Block of the Secretariat, the Head of Service, explained that the State Fire Service and other agencies were promptly called to contain the fire.

SPONSOR AD

She said: “We were informed that there was a fire incident at the right wing, ground floor of Podium Block
and we immediately made calls to the Rivers State Fire Service and they responded promptly.

“We also called other partners of the State, such as the Renaissance, Federal Fire Service and the military who promptly sent their fire trucks. It’s a combined effort, and as we speak, you can see that the fire has been contained.

“We thank God, and we thank His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara for being proactive in rehabilitating the fire service before this time. If not for his investment in the Fire Service, this situation would have been worse,” she stated.

She noted that preliminary reports indicated that electric faults might have been the cause of the fire, emphasising the need for strict compliance with safety measures.

“We urge all civil servants to take responsibility in safety. Put off our sockets and our lights. Not just putting off the sockets, but unplug to ensure there is no residual charge because these buildings are heritage buildings and we don’t want anything to happen to them,” she stressed.

She further assured that Governor Fubara is working on measures to refurbish the buildings.