By Bilkisu Abdullahi Yahuza
Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed on Wednesday when fire gutted the P-Links Electronics Complex in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The fire started at about 6.30pm on Wednesday.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Kogi State Command, Deputy Superintendent of Fire Odumeke Isaac, said a distress call was received at the control room at exactly 6.35pm.
He said men of the command were immediately deployed and arrived at the scene at 6.40pm, where they battled the inferno alongside operatives of the Kogi State Fire Service.
Odumeke noted that because the complex deals in electronics, which served as fuel, the fire escalated rapidly.
He advised business owners, especially those with large facilities, to install fire suppression systems, maintain charged hydrants and provide serviceable fire extinguishers.
According to him, training of workers, especially security personnel who are always on duty, on the use of fire extinguishers at the preliminary stage of fire outbreak will help prevent escalation.
He lamented that exhaustion of water during firefighting remained a major challenge, hence the need for hydrants within facilities.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of P-Links, Mr Peter Onujeme, said the fire was triggered by fluctuating power supply from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company while his staff were switching from generator to public power supply.
Onujeme said before the cause could be ascertained, the roof was already on fire, with everything on the top floor engulfed.
He said the first and second floors were saved, thanks to the intervention of the Federal and State Fire Services and community youths who risked their lives to evacuate over 90 per cent of the wares.
He described it as his second experience, calling on relevant authorities to hold AEDC accountable and overhaul its obsolete network to prevent future occurrence.
He thanked the state government, the fire services and all those who came out to help.
A member of staff of the company, Abdul Idris, who lamented the loss, expressed gratitude that no life was lost, though he complained about the late arrival of the firemen.
Similarly, a witness, Mr Kingsley Joseph, who expressed joy that no life was lost, lamented that it was the second time such an incident was happening at the complex and prayed against future occurrence.
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