Health Ministry: Faulty Cables Caused Federal Secretariat Fire

The Federal Ministry of Health has attributed the fire outbreak at the Federal Secretariat yesterday to faulty electric cables on one of the floors.

Fire-fighters, private security men and personnel of the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) offered emergency service by checking the fire from further spreading, when thick dark smoke issued from and hung over the secretariat along Shehu Shagari Way, early yesterday morning.

But the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said in a statement, that the fire did not cause any material damage to the building nor did it affect the health ministry.

The statement, which was issued on his behalf by the Director, Media and Public Relations of the Health Ministry, Boade Akinola, reads: “An electric spark from cables and wires resulted in a small fire on the corridor of the third floor, wing B of the Federal Ministry of Health Headquarters this morning.

“The private security outfit in charge of the premises swung into action and also contacted the fire service which responded immediately and put off the fire. There was no damage to any government property neither did it affect any of the offices in the building. Media teams from certain outfits have independently accessed the building and recordings are available”, the statement added.

The firefighters bearing water pipe, housed in the complex, used ladders to access the corridor where the fire originated from and where some items were kept.

Akinola, in response to THISDAY enquiries, also said no life was lost. She also assured that the situation has been brought under control with minimal damage to the 3rd floor of the building. “It was a spark in the corridor on the 3rd floor where cleaners rest. It did not affect any office. Prompt intervention of fire service saved the situation,” she said.