A yet to be identified man was on Sunday rescued alive after setting ablaze his apartment in Obinagu, Ezinifite, Okpuno in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
State Fire Chief, Engr. Dr. Martin Agbili who disclosed this in a statement, said two other residential apartments were also gutted by fire same day in various locations within the state capital.
According to him, one of the inferno occurred at at Ugwu Tank, Amawbia in lock up shops, while the other happened at Obiano Close, Rockland Estate, Awka.
He said while the Amawbia inferno was caused by power outage, that of Rockland estate was a result of explosion of inverter batteries.
He said the fire incident at the Woman Lecturer Area, Obinagu, Ezinifite, Okpuno was purely as a case of arson, saying the owner of the house deliberately ignited fire in his house.
He however said no life was lost in all the fire outbreaks, including the one caused by the owner, who he confirmed was rescued alive.
He said, “At about 0159hrs (1.59am), Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak at Ugwu Tank, Amawbia in lock up shops. The cause of fire outbreak was POWER SURGE.
“We deployed our fire truck and firefighters. The fire was controlled and extinguished. Some shops were partly burnt with it goods. We withdrew from the fire scene at about 0345hrs (3.45am)
“At about 1524hrs (3.45pm), Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak in a residential home (duplex) at Obiano Close, Rockland Estate, Awka.
The cause of fire outbreak was as a result of explosion of inverter batteries. We deployed our fire truck and firefighters. The fire was controlled and extinguished. The building was partly burnt. We withdrew from the fire scene at about 1648hrs (4.48pm)
“At about 1829hrs (6.29pm), Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak in a residential home (duplex) at around Woman Lecturer Area, Obinagu, Ezinifite, Okpuno.
“The cause of fire outbreak was ARSON. The owner of the house deliberately ignite fire in his house. The man was saved. No life was lost.
“We deployed our fire truck and firefighters. The fire was controlled and extinguished. The roof was badly burnt and building was partly affected. We withdrew from the fire scene at about 2047hrs(8.47pm).”