The Federal Fire Service (FFS) in Cross River has reported that residents of the state lost property valued at N928 million to fire outbreaks between January and August.
Mrs Olumayowa Olomola, Commanding Officer of the FFS in Cross River, disclosed this in an interview in Calabar on Friday.
She explained that the losses were recorded from 23 fire incidents within the period.
According to her, the incidents were not limited to residential buildings, as “there were fire outbreaks in shops, automobiles, tankers, among others.”
She noted that 20 houses were affected, with no deaths recorded, though three persons sustained injuries.
Olomola pledged the commitment of the service to combating fire incidents in the state but urged public-spirited individuals and corporate organisations to support its operations.
She said the service was constrained by shortages of water tankers, utility vehicles and ambulances.
“We are fully committed to undertaking the tasks that go with our job, but these challenges are our limitations. Our responses will be faster if we become better equipped. We need fire-fighting stations to be sited within Calabar and in the local government areas,” she said.
(NAN)