By Stella Agbeyeke
SAPELE/Nigeria: Prompt intervention by operatives of the Delta State Fire Service averted what could have been a devastating inferno at an event centre in the Amukpe area of Sapele, saving properties worth millions of naira from destruction.
The fire, which broke out at the popular Gladys Event Centre, threatened to raze the facility before firefighters from the Sapele Service Station swiftly contained the situation and brought the blaze under control.
Confirming the incident, the Director of the Delta State Fire Service, Dr. Eugene Oziwelle, told journalists in Asaba that the emergency team received a distress call at about 12:35 p.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene.
According to him, upon arrival, the fire had already engulfed a section of the building, but the officers acted decisively to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the structure.
“Our men responded promptly and were able to put out the fire before it escalated. In the process, they also evacuated furniture and other valuables worth millions of naira to safety,” Oziwelle said.
Preliminary findings from workers at the event centre indicated that the fire may have been triggered by an electrical spark, which reportedly ignited nearby materials and quickly spread within the hall.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the situation could have deteriorated rapidly but for the timely intervention of the fire service, whose efforts ensured that the damage was contained.
The incident marks the second fire outbreak recorded in the Sapele area within one week, following an earlier residential fire that was also successfully extinguished by the state fire service.
In the wake of the incident, Dr. Oziwelle urged residents to adopt proactive fire safety measures, particularly in light of prevailing weather conditions that heighten the risk of fire outbreaks.
He cautioned against leaving electrical appliances unattended, warning that overheating and electrical faults are common triggers of fire incidents.
The Fire Service Director also advised against bush burning and improper disposal of cigarette stubs, noting that such practices could easily ignite fires, especially in dry and grassy environments.
Oziwelle commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his sustained support to the Delta State Fire Service, which he said has enhanced the agency’s responsiveness to emergencies across the state.
He reaffirmed the commitment of firefighters to their duty, urging continued government support to further strengthen their capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to fire incidents.
