Bauchi Fires Kill Two, Destroy Multibillion-naira Properties

The Federal Fire Service says two lives were lost and property worth N1.59 billion was destroyed by fire in Bauchi between January and December 2025.

The spokesman for the fire service in Bauchi, Umar Lawal, disclosed this on Monday.

Mr Lawal said that the command saved four lives and property worth N2.86 billion in 167 fire incidents reported within the period under review.

He said that the fire incidents affected public and government buildings, private dwellings, educational establishments, markets, petrol and gas stations, and automobiles.

Giving a breakdown of the figure, he explained that N23 million in property was lost, while N855.1 billion in property was saved in 10 fire incidents that affected public and government buildings.

He added that properties worth N605 million were also lost, while N1.4 billion worth of other properties were saved in 80 fire incidents that engulfed private dwellings within the period under review.

According to him, N120 million worth of properties were destroyed, and N200 million worth of other property were saved in fire incidents that affected educational establishments.

“N45 million worth of properties were lost, while N90 million worth of properties were saved by the service in five market fire incidents. N23.7 million worth of properties were lost, and N53 million worth of properties were saved in 15 fire incidents that affected petrol and gas stations.

“Also, N70 million properties were lost while N33 million others were saved in 15 fire outbreaks affecting automobiles in the state,” he said.

Mr Lawal attributed most of the fire incidents in the state to electrical equipment malfunctions, power surges, illegal storage of petroleum products, accidents, and dustbin fires.

The spokesman advised residents of the state to ensure electrical appliances are kept safe when not in use to prevent fire outbreaks.

He also warned against overloading electrical appliances, adding that this increases the risk of a fire outbreak.

“Fire safety is essential in every aspect of human activities, and if we can prevent the occurrence of fire outbreaks, we can save our lives, properties, and the environment we live in for our daily activities.

“Overloading of electrical appliances is also part of carelessness because every circuit box has a capacity of current it can carry,” he added.

(NAN)