In the second quarter of 2021 the Federal Fire Service (FFS) saved properties worth N15 trillion, the Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola has revealed.

The minister said the fire service saved about 166 lives, and rescued 82 persons in distress from fire and other related emergencies in the period under review.

A statement by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, on Tuesday, said Mr Aregbesola made the disclosure at the inauguration of the modern firefighting truck in Taraba.

“It is noted that 2020 into 2021 has witnessed frightening fire incidents, ranging from markets to gas and pipeline fires around the country.

“Statistics at our disposal show that the FFS in the second quarter of 2021, received 638 fire calls from which regrettably, 27 lives were lost and property estimated at N3.017 trillion destroyed.

“The FFS saved property worth over N15.1 trillion,” Aregbesola noted.

Mr Aregbesola said the equipment that was inaugurated in Taraba was part of the N10.4 billion infrastructure upgrade approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on March 3, comprising 44 firefighting engines and 15 water tankers.

Others are 15 rapid intervention fire engines engineered to go into the nooks and crannies to respond to distressed calls and 20 basic life support ambulances.