The federal fire service said property valued at more than N8 billion was destroyed by fire in Cross River from January to October 26.

Olumayowa Olomola, commanding officer of the Calabar command of the federal fire service, disclosed this on Thursday.

The commanding officer said the destruction occurred in 13 fire incidents. She said one death was recorded while three persons were injured in the incidents.

Giving an instance of the value of destroyed properties, she said, “A transformer at the TCN 33 KVA substation line at Adiabo, Calabar, that was gutted by fire in August is put at the cost of N2.6 billion.

Ms Olomola added, “We also had the fire incident at Marian fruits market that affected over 13 lock-up shops with goods and also the Airtel Mast near (the) governor’s office. “We also responded to two fire incidents at the University of Calabar; another one at a Catholic school, and one mobile base transformer.”

Ms Olomola, who said the command responded swiftly to the incidents, however, noted the challenges of the Service in Cross River.

She particularly noted the high price of diesel and lack of water tankers and ambulances on its stable as a hindrance to their efficiency.

“Again, we have challenges of crowd invading the scene of fire incidents which, in most times, denied us access. Most times, the aim of some persons in the crowd is to steal from the fire incident,” she stated. “We also have the problem of traffic and travel distance to the scene of fire incidents.” 

(NAN)