Over 158 Killed, Properties Worth N41.5bn Destroyed By Fire In 15 Months-FG

Within the last 15 months, over 158 Nigerians have been killed and properties worth N41.5bn have been destroyed by fire.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this in Abuja, at the commissioning of Basic Life Support Equipment.

Aregbesola noted that the last one year has witnessed frightening fire incidents caused by explosion in markets, gas and pipelines around the country.

He said, “Statistics at our disposal show that the Federal Fire Service in 2020 to the first quarter of 2021 received 4,541 fire calls from which regrettably 158 lives were lost and property lost is estimated at N41.5bn.

“The good news is that the Service within the year under review also saved about 1,275 lives, rescue about 387 persons in distress due to fire and other related emergencies while saving property worth over N3.7trn.”

Among the equipment commissioned were 20 newly procured Basic Life Support Modern Ambulance Buses, Seven Fire fighting Trucks.

According to him, the equipment commissioned are part of the N10.4bn infrastructure upgrade approved by the Federal Executive Council on March 3, 2021 comprising of 44 fire fighting engines, 15 water tankers.

He said, “The ambulances in particular are an innovation to fire fighting and the first time in the history of this country. It has become clear that para-medical services are an adjunct of disaster and emergency management.

“First responders should be able to provide emergency medical services to the needy and evacuate victims to the nearest medical facility in real time.

“It is heart rending to see the wounded and other victims of fire disasters and other emergencies with varying degrees of burns and injuries lying on the floor, waiting for evacuation to hospitals and many die helplessly in the process. This intervention should address this challenge and save lives.”