A house belonging to the deputy governor of Imo State, Eze Madumare, was reportedly razed by fire on Thursday in Owerri.
It was gathered that two companies, Choco Foods in Mbaitoli, and G-Towers Hotel, Port Harcourt Road, were gutted by fire same day.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, said no life was lost in the fire incidents.
“No life was lost in all the fire incidents. The police were visible and we ensured that no further damage was caused by the fire incident at the gas station. We condoned off the area and equally contacted professional firefighters,” he said.
However, the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Uche Onwuchekwa, said property, including a vehicle belonging to his boss’ press crew estimated at N10m, was lost to the fire.
Onwuchekwa said the bush burning activities around the house was the cause of the fire because there were no electrical appliances that were switched on as of the time of the incident.
He said, “What is most important is that no life was lost. Men of the Imo State Fire Service, the deputy governor’s security aides, and some of his housekeepers helped to salvage the situation.”
Also, at Ibari Ogwa Village, the men of the state fire service, as well as the management of the outfit and sympathisers, tried to put out the fire, which had already consumed the security house.
The state Commissioner for Public Safety, Chidi Nwaturuocha, said that the incident was a case of carelessness.
He advised hotel and business owners to always engage the services of professionals, especially during the harmattan season.
