UPDATED: Fire Wreaks Havoc In Rivers Secretariat 

…As Authorities Says No Casualties 

A devastating fire outbreak occurred at the Rivers State Secretariat on Monday, October 6, 2025, destroying properties worth millions of naira. 

The fire, which started after the close of work, affected the ground floor of the Podium Block in the Secretariat Complex, including key sections of the State Pension Board.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire was promptly contained by the combined efforts of the state and federal fire services, as well as the military. 

The Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi Brown, confirmed that no casualty was recorded in the incident.

The Head of Service attributed the fire to a suspected electrical fault. She explained that the prompt intervention of the firefighters saved the situation from getting out of hand.

Speaking to newsmen on the ground floor of Podium Block, location of the incident, the Head of Service disclosed that on noticing the fire outbreak, the State Fire Service and other agencies were promptly called to contain the inferno. 

“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 River State Fire Service, and they responded promptly.

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

“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 stressed. 

She disclosed that no life was lost, even though the state medical service was on the ground to curtail any emergency. 

She explained that preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been as a result of electrical faults and thereby called on all civil servants to be responsible in putting off all electrical services at the close of work. 

“We urge all civil servants to take responsibility in safety. Put off our sockets and our lights. Not just putting off the sockets, but unplugging to ensure

there is no residual charge because these buildings are heritage buildings and we don’t want anything to happen to them,” she admonished. 

Dr Brown further assured that Governor Fubara was working on measures to refurbish the secretariat buildings, which will be made known soon.