Property worth millions of naira was on Thursday August 15, 2019 destroyed by an inferno from gas explosion that razed down the building.

Though no life was lost in the inferno, victims counted losses of their possessions and other valuables.

The twin three-story building located at Emenike/Ezeugl road junction, Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state was said to have caught fire around 8pm through a gas cooker in one of the flats on the last floor.

The fire however could not do much damage in other floors as officials of Okpoko fire service arrived the scene almost immediately to contain it.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the fire advanced to the second floor as the water from the fire fighters ran out midway.

“On arrival to the scene, the fire service men made frantic efforts to prevent the fire from extending to the second floor but their water got finished.

“It was smoke which enveloped the entire place that prompted residents and sympathisers to assist in pouring sand and water to the inferno before it was quenched.”

Confirming the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in the area, Mr. George Okoro, said no life was lost, adding that although “they said the fire incident was caused by gas explosion, we are still investigating to ascertain the exact cause of the inferno.”

Similarly, another three-storey building was also gutted by fire same day along Limca old road, Obosi.

It was gathered that the cause of the inferno may not be far from a gas depot close to the scene where one of the cylinders reportedly exploded, setting fire to the roof of the building but people were able to douse the inferno before it got off hand.

Update news