The Chief Fire and Rescue Officer in Enugu State, Okwudili Ohaa, says that the raging gas fire at Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Emene near Enugu has been put off.

Mr Ohaa told journalists in Enugu on Wednesday that the fire was put off through the direct intervention of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

He explained that the governor had to order and buy some special fire extinguishing chemicals to ensure that the fire that lasted close to three weeks was put off.

“After he got briefings from the Enugu State Fire Service and other experts, he opted to order and procure the special fire extinguishing chemicals.”

The gas fire, which started on May 25, went off on Tuesday, June 14, at about 4:30 p.m.

Mr Ohaa noted that the governor procured F-500 Encapsulator Agent, Sodium Bicarbonate, Amon-Ammonia Sulphate and AFFF 6% Protein.

“The chemicals were applied severally and for some days into the depths of the place where the fire was raging, and at a time, the fire stopped,” he said.

The fire chief also said that the state fire service got assistance from Well Test Solution Ltd, Port Harcourt, to apply the chemicals and extinguish the fire.

Mr Ohaa, however, said that officers and men and fire engines of the state fire service had been on ground since May 23 when the agency received a distress call about the gas leak.

“We are still there as I am speaking to you to attend to any unforeseen development that demands emergency and rescue,” he said.

He lauded all agencies and commissions that had shown commitment to the safety of lives at the incident site.

The state government had earlier announced to the residents that there was no cause for alarm, adding that all known safety measures had been taken to avert any disaster from the fire incident scene.

The gas fire started due to water drilling borehole activities on May 23, which led to a gas leak and later on May 25 went up in flames as a gas flaring scene. 

(NAN)