By Izunna Okafor, Awka
A residential building in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was on Thursday gutted by fire following an electrical fault, with firefighters swiftly intervening to contain the situation and prevent further damage.
The incident occurred at Lomu Village, Umunze, where the fire engulfed the main building in the family compound of Mr. Patrick Onyeanusi.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Anambra State Fire Service, a distress call was received at about 2:48 p.m., prompting an immediate response from firefighters who arrived at the scene to find the building already engulfed in flames.
The firefighters were said to have launched an aggressive firefighting operation immediately they arrived the scene, working swiftly to bring the situation under control.
Their intervention successfully contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to other structures within the compound and adjoining properties, thereby averting what could have resulted in a more devastating loss.
Preliminary findings by the Fire Service attributed the cause of the fire to a power surge resulting from an electrical fault.
While no casualties or injuries were recorded in the incident, the main residential building was said to have been significantly affected by the fire, with properties inside believed to have been destroyed.
The firefighting operations, according to the statement, lasted for over an hour, concluding around 4:30 p.m., as the flames were completely extinguished and necessary safety checks conducted.
Further reacting to the incident, the Fire Service advised members of the public to take preventive measures against electrical hazards, including avoiding unsafe connections and ensuring the installation of functional surge protectors and circuit breakers in homes.
In their own reactions, the house owner and residents of the area commended the timely response of the firefighters, acknowledging that their swift action helped to save nearby buildings and prevent the fire from escalating further.
