Fire has gutted the Ebonyi Health Cold Store housing immunisation and solar units received from the National Primary Health Care Development Authority (NPHCDA).

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, made the disclosure while briefing journalists on the incident which occured early hours of Friday.

The commissioner stated that the facilities destroyed worth over N100 million.

He said, “These contained vaccines, vaccine carriers, cold chain boxes, laptops, documents, five refrigerators, two solar refrigerators, 45 solar batteries and inverters. Others include hospitals beds and foams received from the NPHCDA, Abuja, for distribution to Local Government Areas LGAs next week.”

Mr Ekuma thanked God that no life was lost and thanked the commissioner for power and energy, the fire officers and the security men for their prompt response.

“In fact, different vaccines like BCG,  penta, HPV vaccine stored  in that cold room were burnt,” Mr Ekuma added

He noted that the exact cause of the fire was still unknown, adding there had been no public power supply for the past five days in the state.

“The solar, which has been the alternative power supply was not working. Though, we invite the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) officials to restore the light on Thursday,” he said.

An Officer from the state Fire Service, Frank Ota, said that he got a distress call at about 5:18 am on Friday.

“We were able to mmobilise our men immediately. We commend the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, for procuring brand new two trucks (appliances) for them and has been helping,” Oka stated. 

(NAN)