REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
Fire has destroyed office equipment worth millions of naira at the Federal secretariat in Awka, Anambra state.
The fire also destroyed official documents and files in one of the affected offices.
The fire which started at about three o’clock Tuesday afternoon caused panic amongst the staff who scampered for safety amidst fears and panic
An eye witness and staff of the National Orientation Agency, Mr Anthony Obiorah narrated that they were in the office when a staff in the second floor of the building started shouting fire and calling for help.
Mr Obiorah said they were helpless and managed to call the men of the Anambra state fire service who responded swiftly.
Two room offices belonging to the Pharmacy Counsel of Nigeria , were gutted by the fire as equipment, documents, and files were all burnt .
With the intervention of the fire fighters, few shelves and office cabinet were saved from another room close to the one on fire.
The office walls were seen cracked and cement walls falling down as the fire raged and burnt Chairs, furniture, cabinet drawers and other items.
In an interview , the Fire Chief of Anambra state fire service, Mr Chukwudi Chiketa who led his personnel to the scene, said the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as efforts were still being made to put out the fire completely.
Mr Chiketa however called on residents and staff of various government offices to always have fire extinguishers handy and make effort to reach fire service on time to enable them respond swiftly.
Correspondent Uche Ndeke reports that the people observed that there have been erratic power supply issues in the federal secretariat as supply comes off and on in some offices while some don’t get electricity at all when there is public supply.
