By: Abdullahi Inuwa
BIRNIN KEBBI — Panic gripped residents of the Badariya area of Birnin Kebbi in the early hours of Tuesday after a raging fire engulfed the residence of the Managing Director of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBRDA), Abubakar Malam, leaving a trail of destruction and reducing valuable household property to ashes.
The inferno, which erupted at about 3:00 a.m., reportedly burned uncontrollably for nearly two hours before personnel of the Kebbi State Fire Service succeeded in bringing it under control around 5:00 a.m.
Residents who rushed to the scene watched helplessly as flames tore through sections of the building, while firefighters battled to prevent the blaze from spreading to neighbouring houses.
An eyewitness and neighbour, Malam Zubairu Tatu, said the fire started while most residents were asleep, causing fear and confusion in the neighbourhood.
“The fire started around 3:00 a.m. and continued until about 5:00 a.m. before the Fire Service was able to contain it,” he said.
Although the cause of the inferno had not been established at the time of this report, the incident destroyed household furniture, personal effects and other valuables worth an undisclosed amount.
Fortunately, no life was lost, as all occupants of the residence escaped the blaze unharmed.
News of the incident quickly spread across the state, prompting an outpouring of sympathy from government officials, political leaders and other well-wishers.
Among those who visited the scene were the Secretary to the Kebbi State Government, Yakubu Bala Tafida, senior government functionaries, politicians and journalists, all of whom expressed solidarity with the SRRBRDA Managing Director over the unfortunate incident.
Speaking while taking journalists round the damaged sections of his residence, Abubakar Malam described the incident as heartbreaking but expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah that no life was lost despite the extensive destruction.
He appreciated the Kebbi State Government, friends, associates and members of the public who visited, telephoned or sent condolence messages to him following the tragedy.
As residents count the losses caused by the midnight inferno, many have renewed calls for improved fire safety measures, quicker emergency response and greater public awareness to reduce the devastating impact of fire outbreaks in homes and communities.
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