Properties worth N10.38 billion were destroyed by fire in Cross River in 13 incidents within six months, the Federal Fire Service said on Friday.

State Controller Olomola Olumayowa revealed in Calabar that the destruction was recorded between January and June.

Ms Olumayowa said the command responded swiftly to the fire incidents, adding that three persons died and two others sustained injury within the period.

The controller, however, stressed that the command’s commitment in fighting fire outbreaks was being hampered by lack of fire equipment.

According to her, provision of mini firefighting equipment (water tenders) to navigate difficult terrain will greatly help the service because not all routes were accessible by fire appliances.

“We want provision of more fire stations in Calabar and its environs; as it stands now, we only have one fire engine in the state. These stations can be equipped with mini firefighting equipment.

“We are also in need of a tanker to move alongside the fire engine to reduce the number of times we go for refilling after exhausting our water on fire grounds,” she said.

Ms Olumayowa appealed for more collaboration with security agencies in the state.

“Security agencies should continue to come to our rescue; our men were almost mobbed at the last fire scene at Bogobiri,” she stated.

(NAN)