No fewer than 295 cases of fire outbreaks were recorded in Katsina State in 2011, the deputy chief fire officer of state fire service, Ali Kassim Bindawa has said.
Addressing journalists in his office on Thursday, Bindawa, said the state fire service saved properties estimated at one billion, one hundred and forty two million ‘through prompt intervention on the scene of fire incidences.’
He disclosed that 19 persons lost their lives from rescue operations in well, ponds and streams, adding that properties worth 400 million Naira were however lost to fire from the different incidences of fire outbreak that occurred in the state.
“Fifty eight persons were involved in disaster of? falling inside well, ponds or streams in the year under review out of which, 39 lives were saved while 19 lost their lives, ” he stated, adding, “On the overall, last year came with peculiar challenges and we addressed them accordingly.”
Bindawa who decried frequent incidence of fire outbreak, attributed it to carelessness and ignorance, even as he said the service had initiated measures to tackle incidence of fire outbreak as they arose ‘provided we are promptly informed.’
While applauding the State government for supporting the service with equipment and financial resources for manpower development, Bindawa assured that the service would be alive to its responsibilities.
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