Delta: Millions of Naira Loss to Fire from ECO Bank Building in Ughelli
By Rufus Ibebe
LAGOS MARCH 4TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Those doing business at number 10, Ughelli-Warri road, Ughelli, Delta State are presently counting their loses running into millions of naira as fire alleged to have erupted from ECO Bank premises set their building ablaze resulting in loss of property worth millions of Naira.
The building is a business complex housing shops selling communication materials, computers, fashion stores and other accessories.
An eye witness alleged that the fire which occurred by 1.30 pm on Tuesday originated from an explosion from power generating plant located in the premises of Ecobank Ughelli Market branch. The bank is sharing boundary with the burnt structure.
He revealed that the inferno destroyed a two storey building and property worth millions of naira located at Number 10 Ughelli Warri Road. Ughelli.
Mr. Igho Igben who owned a store (Igho Bliss) in the burnt house disclosed that the fire started at about 1:30pm. He affirmed that the fire emanated from a power generating plant located in the bank premises.
He said the fire grew worst after a drum of diesel in the bank premise caught fire and exploded, adding that all efforts to put off the fire proved abortive until the arrival of fire fighter from
PHCH located in Erhuemukowhorien.
He lamented that property worth many millions of naira was destroyed by the fire.
Corroborating the story of Igben, Mr. John Oghenekparobo who was present at the scene said he was about to go into the bank when he saw fire coming from the bank generator house.
“Then gradually, the fire spread to the two storey building and destroyed the storey building housing different kind of businesses and residential home,” he revealed.
About five apartments that is used as residential home and stores where handset and phone accessories are sold were destroyed in the fire accident.
All effort to speak with the fire fighters proved abortive as they decline questions from newsman.
All effort to speak with the bank manger proved abortive because the management of the bank refuse to speak with newsmen.
Where were the bank’s security guards when the fire broke out? Didn’t the bank’s security guards have fire extinguishers in the premises when the fire broke out? What efforts did the bank’s security guards make to extinguish the fire? These questions are germane and need answers to ascertain the level of preparedness on the part of the bank’s management in case of crisis outbreak.