A devastating fire incident has sparked public outrage in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, after firefighters reportedly arrived more than two hours late, by which time a one-storey building had already been completely razed.
The fire broke out on Saturday evening at a residential building located opposite Geneza Hotel along the busy Onwe Road. Eyewitnesses said the inferno started at about 6:45 p.m. and raged for over an hour before it was eventually subdued around 7:50 p.m. largely through the efforts of residents and nearby establishments.
Sources at the scene revealed that the fire began shortly after electricity supply was restored in the area.
Residents reported hearing a loud, explosive-like sound moments before flames engulfed the building, triggering panic and a rush for safety.
The blaze caused significant destruction, consuming the entire structure and valuable properties inside.
It also nearly resulted in tragedy, as 13-month-old twins were reportedly inside the building when the fire started. Fortunately, they were rescued in time.
Despite repeated emergency calls, residents claimed that the Ebonyi State Fire Service failed to respond promptly.
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According to eyewitness accounts, officials allegedly cited lack of fuel and operational limitations, including not working on Saturdays, as reasons for the delay claims that have further angered the public.
A local resident expressed frustration over the situation, describing it as a serious failure of emergency response systems.
Another witness, a commercial motorcyclist, praised the management of Geneza Hotel for stepping in with fire extinguishers and providing water from their reservoir, which helped prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.
Fire service officials eventually arrived at approximately 8:47 p.m., well after the damage had been done. Reports indicate they were accompanied by police officers amid fears of backlash from angry residents over the delayed response.
The incident has raised urgent concerns about the preparedness and reliability of emergency services in the state, with calls for government intervention to prevent future occurrences.
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