By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Yenagoa
Several families have been rendered homeless after a fire outbreak gutted a residential building along Baybridge Road in the Kpansia area of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The early morning inferno, which occurred on Friday, destroyed apartments and valuables worth millions of naira, leaving occupants counting their losses and scrambling for temporary shelter.
Although the cause of the fire had not been officially established as of press time, residents suspected that an electrical fault may have triggered the blaze.
Witnesses said the fire spread rapidly through parts of the building, forcing residents to flee for safety. They credited the swift response of personnel of the Fire Service, the Police and neighbours with preventing the flames from spreading to adjoining structures.
One of the victims, Mrs Douye Josephine Yallah, who sustained injuries during the incident, said the fire broke out at about 9 a.m. and destroyed property accumulated over many years.
The devastated mother said the incident had left her family homeless and uncertain about where to begin rebuilding their lives.
Another victim, Miss Blessing Sobotie, and a resident of the area, Pastor Ezekiel Oteigbanyon, recalled hearing a loud sound before smoke began billowing from the rooftop. According to them, an alarm was immediately raised, attracting residents who joined efforts to contain the fire before emergency responders arrived.
Describing the destruction as extensive, Sobotie appealed to government, corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to assist affected families.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has since expressed sympathy with the victims and ordered a full investigation into the incident. Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the governor visited the scene alongside top government officials, including the State Commissioner of Police, CP Daniel Iyamah, and the Comptroller of the Federal Fire Service in the state, Mr Diton Amos.
Speaking after an on-the-spot assessment, Akpe described the incident as unfortunate but thanked God that no lives were lost. He commended emergency responders and residents for their prompt action, noting that the disaster could have assumed far greater proportions.
He said the government had directed security and emergency agencies to determine the exact cause of the fire and ascertain whether it resulted from an electrical fault or any other factor. He added that electricity supply to the affected area would remain disconnected pending the outcome of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Daniel Iyamah, said officers were immediately deployed to secure the area after receiving distress calls, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), Hon. Walamam Samuel Igrubia, assured victims that the agency had begun compiling details of those affected and assessing the extent of damage.
While expressing sadness over the incident, Igrubia said the agency would work with relevant authorities to provide support to victims, stressing that the fact that no life was lost remained the greatest consolation.
