By Katherine Abayomi
A devastating fire outbreak occurred around midnight on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, claiming the lives of three individuals, including a National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officer and a pregnant woman. The fire, reportedly caused by an electrical surge following the restoration of power by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), left several others with varying degrees of burns and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
Justina Moses, a vegetable farmer and mother of five, narrowly escaped the inferno. She recounted the tragic incident, saying the NDLEA officer, a neighbor, was electrocuted while attempting to switch his electrical connection during the power surge. The resulting spark ignited the fire that engulfed the area. Moses lost everything in the fire, including her home, and is now pleading for help to support herself and her children.
Another victim, Micah Akpan, blamed PHED for negligence, saying the fire started immediately after the power restoration with high voltage. “There was an explosion, and we tried using water mixed with detergent to put out the fire, but it only got worse. The power wasn’t cut off even while the fire raged. PHED should have responded faster to the surge.”
The incident has left residents in shock and outrage, with many calling for accountability and improved safety measures from PHED. As the community reels from the tragedy, there are growing concerns about the adequacy of safety protocols and emergency response systems in place.
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