>
Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has disclosed that two men lost their lives in the fire outbreak that gutted a section of the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, on Monday.
FEMA spokesperson, Nkechi Isa, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday night.
Isa also confirmed that a diesel tank explosion was responsible for the fire incident.
According to Isa, the diesel tank exploded around 10:45am in the commission’s generator house when two MIKANO generators were being serviced by a five-man team from JMD company.
“One of the generators was said to be working, while the other one was being serviced when a tank containing 2,000 litres of diesel in the generator house exploded.
“Two of the personnel servicing the generator died from the explosion while two others survived with severe burns and were taken to the Trauma Centre at the National Hospital, Abuja,” she said.
Isa added that the FCT fire service was able to contain the fire around 12.30pm while ambulances from the Ministry of Defence, Federal Fire Service and FEMA were on standby.
Mohammed Sabo, acting FEMA Director-General, called for caution while handling petroleum products with the onset of the dry season.
Sabo asked residents to always use the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of any disaster or emergency.