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Raymond Ozoji, Awka
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has expressed deep sympathy and concern to the families of the Onitsha fire disaster which happened yesterday. The disaster equally claimed the lives of a woman and her child that were trapped in the fire at Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha.
The governor’s compassionate message to the victims of the fire disaster was contained in a press statement signed by the state commissioner for information and public enlightenment Mr. C. Don Adinuba and made available to newsmen yesterday.
The statement also noted that the governor would set up a probe panel into the remote cause of the inferno as well as find out why the state fire service men were unable to quench the fire before it escalated.
The statement partly reads, “The accident occurred when a tanker laden with premium motor spirit, popularly known as petrol, fell into a ditch and began to spill its contents.
“A ball of fire resulted from this incident and quickly spread. Men of the Anambra State Fire Service arrived on the scene in good time with their new equipment. For some reason, however, they were unable to quench the inferno.
“The angry mob on the scene prevented other fire trucks, including one from neighbouring Asaba in Delta State, from getting to the scene.
“Governor Obiano has directed owners of properties affected by the tragic accident, including shop owners, to report at the Conference Room of the Secretary to the State Government on Monday, October 21, 2019, to see how the Anambra State Government can assist them.
“A panel will be set up immediately to determine the cause of the accident, why the firemen could not put out the fire and how the condition of the victims can be ameliorated.”
The statement also has it that Governor Obiano and his family prayed for the repose of the souls of the woman and child who died in the accident and that the Anambra State Government would assist their families in their burials.
