The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service has stated it reserves the right to take legal action against individuals who obstruct its vehicles during emergency responses.

The service’s public relations officer (PRO), Ibrahim Muhammad, made this known during an interview with journalists on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Muhammad emphasised the importance of giving the right of way to emergency vehicles, warning that failure to do so endangers lives and property.

“Anytime you see a fire service vehicle, you are expected to give way,” he said. “Unfortunately, in Nigeria, some people compete with us on the road. This behaviour not only affects our operations but also puts lives and property at risk.”

He clarified that the law supported emergency services in such situations.

“If we accidentally hit your vehicle while responding to a fire emergency, you cannot sue us; rather, we have the right to sue you for obstructing our duty.”

Mr Muhammad added that while firefighters made every effort to drive cautiously, citizens must cooperate by yielding the road.

“We can use the opposite lane if necessary to reach the scene on time. The priority is to save lives and property,” he explained.

He stressed that a quick response to fire incidents was vital, especially when the extent of the blaze or possible casualties was unknown.

Mr Muhammad expressed sympathy to the families of three men who died in a recent accident involving a fire truck.

He noted that the Federal Fire Service (FFS) management had visited the bereaved family.

Mr Muhammad further stated that the likely cause of the fire outbreak at Avenue Plaza was an electrical malfunction resulting from a power surge within the facility.

He added that an investigation was ongoing to determine the value of the property lost in the inferno.

The fatal accident occurred Friday night as an FCT fire truck was returning to refill its water tank after responding to a fire outbreak at Avenue Plaza in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja.

(NAN)