*574 fire incidents were caused by faulty electrical equipment, 246 by power surges, 51 by candles, 181 by cigarette stubs and bush fires, 404 by accident and arson as well as several other causes in Nigeria in 2020, says Federal Fire Service

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In order to minimise disasters arising from explosions and ensure safety of lives and property, the Federal Government of Nigeria has established “a technical group to audit Oil Tank Farm Safety and Management”.

The Federal Fire Service (FFS), in this regard, said it saved 1,453 lives in 2020, and property worth N1.35 trillion from explosion-related disasters, especially in the South-West and South-South regions of the country, Oriental News report said.

Fire guts a tank farm in Lagos    Photo: AriseTV

Dr. Liman Alhaji Ibrahim, Controller-General of FFS at a media briefing in Abuja, FCT, said the Service would also purchase 89 firefighting trucks, made up of 44 water tenders, 15 ambulances, 15 water tankers and 15 rapid intervention vehicles.

The FSS disclosed it responded to 3, 555 fire calls while the country lost property worth N32.12 billion in the period under review.

According to the agency, public or government buildings recorded 543 incidents whereas private dwellings recorded 1,382 fire incidents.

Affected also were educational establishments, shops, hotels, event centres and others, according to FSS.

The Service further stated 574 fire incidents were caused by faulty electrical equipment, 246 by power surges, 51 by candles, 181 by cigarette stubs and bush fires, 404 by accident and arson as well as several other causes.

As part of renewed efforts at reducing fire incidents in the country, the Federal Government has concluded plans to establish fire stations across the nation’s 109 Senatorial Districts, noted FSS.

Dr. Ibrahim stated: “We discovered that it is necessary to extend our operations from the state headquarters to the Senatorial Districts so that we can be closer to the people because the closer we are, the better our response time.

“The moment we start taking delivery of these vehicles, we will now identify some Senatorial Districts that are more prone to disasters and then we deploy our men and trucks. But we will pick them state by state.”

The FSS boss, however, frowned on continued attacks by mob at fire scenes.

The Service has concluded an arrangement with the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to provide armed personnel to secure scenes of fire incidents for the unhindered operation of fire fighters.

“In most cases, our men are attacked when they respond to fire outbreak or other emergencies.

“We have records of this from the Nyanya axis (in FCT). We have stopped our men from responding to fire calls from that area until the community leaders are able to call their wards to order.”