Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has directed an immediate investigation into a fire incident that destroyed a two-storey building located at 73 Lagos Street in Aba. The inferno, which occurred recently, caused extensive damage to the property and raised serious concerns among residents and business owners in the area.
According to initial reports, the fire broke out in the early hours of the day and quickly spread through the building, which was said to be housing multiple businesses and residential units. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as occupants and neighbors made frantic efforts to salvage their belongings before the arrival of emergency services.
The governor, in a statement released by his media team, expressed deep concern over the incident and emphasized the need to determine the exact cause of the fire. He said the investigation would be thorough and would involve relevant emergency and security agencies. Governor Otti stressed that identifying the root cause of the fire is necessary to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Officials from the Abia State Fire Service responded to the scene and worked to contain the blaze. However, by the time the fire was brought under control, significant destruction had already been done. Several shops and residential units were completely destroyed, and property worth millions of naira is believed to have been lost in the inferno.
No official report on casualties has been released, but unconfirmed sources indicated that while no lives were lost, some individuals sustained minor injuries while attempting to escape the building. The government is expected to confirm these details after the completion of the ongoing investigation.
Governor Otti assured the public that his administration remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of the state. He added that the state government would not hesitate to implement corrective measures once the findings of the investigation are made public.
He also called on building owners and tenants across the state to ensure strict adherence to fire safety standards. He noted that many fire incidents result from negligence, illegal electrical connections, and the absence of proper fire prevention mechanisms.
In the aftermath of the fire, affected occupants have begun counting their losses, while some have appealed for government support to recover from the incident. Community leaders in the area also urged the state government to speed up the investigation and provide relief to victims who lost their means of livelihood.
Security agencies have cordoned off the building to prevent further damage and to allow for proper assessment by experts. Structural engineers are also expected to inspect the integrity of the building to determine whether it can be salvaged or must be demolished.
Governor Otti reiterated that safety remains a top priority of his administration and encouraged all stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring that incidents such as this are minimized. The outcome of the investigation is expected to provide a clearer picture of what led to the fire and offer recommendations for future prevention.
