Panic broke out at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Awka, Anambra State, on Tuesday after a fire outbreak destroyed parts of the building housing the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria and an adjoining pharmaceutical company store.
The fire reportedly started around 3pm after thick smoke was noticed on the second floor, prompting workers to flee their offices for safety.
Several office equipment, documents and files were destroyed in the incident, while firefighters managed to rescue some properties from nearby offices.
An eyewitness and staff member of the National Orientation Agency, Anthony Obiorah, said workers raised the alarm after noticing the fire. He added that two offices belonging to the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria were affected.
The Anambra State Fire Service, led by its Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, responded to the incident alongside personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Chiketa said the cause of the fire had not been established, adding that investigations would be conducted.
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The Anambra State NSCDC Commandant, Maku Olatunde, said the prompt intervention of the Disaster Management Team and firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the complex.
According to him, property estimated at over N200bn was saved from destruction. He added that preliminary findings suggested a power surge as a possible cause, although investigations were ongoing.
Normalcy has since returned to the Federal Secretariat, while authorities urged government offices to conduct regular electrical checks and maintain strict fire safety measures.
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