Fire Wrecks Havoc In Rivers Community
Edith CHUKU
A few days after the Adro gas station located in the Rumuodamaya axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State was engulfed by fire, about 10 persons residing in Rumuchuku in the Rumuola axis of Port Harcourt have been rendered homeless by another devastating fire incident.
Though no life was lost, but most victims of the disaster lost their entire property. For some, all they can call property currently, is what they wore when they ran out of their home during the fire outbreak.
As at the time of this report, the cause of the fire was yet to be identified even as residents believe that the incident is not related to any electric fault, rather must have been a mistake from an individual.
The councilor representing ward 13, Justina Lawrence paid a swift visit to condole with the affected families.
A resident who gave her name as Florence Chiedozie said, “this is what we saw this morning o! That one is my house (pointing to her residence), it is very sorrowful, they lost everything, everything, how will they start life, where will they live?
“Me, I thank God that nobody was burnt and nobody died but I still pity them, one of my friends only came out with her nicker, bra and singlet, it’s a pity. For me, I don’t think it is light, this thing is somebody’s fault.”
Speaking with TNN in an exclusive interview, chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Ihunwo Chijioke expressed sympathy towards the victims who have been rendered homeless by the unfortunate fire incident.
Chijioke said “this is indeed a sorrowful situation, when I heard the news of what happened, I couldn’t even control my emotion.
“The year has barely started, people are still struggling to stand after the setbacks the first wave of COVID-19 brought with it, everyone is looking for a means of survival, children’s school fees are there, house rent is knocking on one side, some people have huge debts to pay, and just while you are struggling to foot these bills, you woke up one morning and almost everything is gone.
“Honestly, I lack words to console them but I want them to know that this will pass; it’s part of the challenges of life, it will surely pass. They will recover in no distant time.
“Also, it is important we show love to those affected, it’s not enough to feel their pain, you have to give them hope through support, extend hands of care, accommodation. It is indeed a sad one, but like I said, it will pass.”
While stressing on the need for the rehabilitation of the fire service commission, he appealed to residents to be cautious and avoid late night cooking.
