AWKA, NIGERIA — A power surge caused a devastating fire outbreak in Anambra State on Sunday, destroying a duplex, household items, and a shuttle bus, leaving the affected family counting losses as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
The incident occurred in a residential area of Awka, the state capital, when a sudden electrical surge sparked a fire that quickly spread through the property. According to eyewitnesses, the fire erupted from an electrical appliance connected to the national grid, engulfing the building within minutes. Despite efforts by residents to extinguish the flames, the intensity of the fire prevented any meaningful intervention before the arrival of firefighters.
The Anambra State Fire Service responded to the distress call and deployed firefighting teams to the scene. The firefighters managed to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings, but the duplex, its contents, and a shuttle bus parked within the compound were completely destroyed.
An official of the Fire Service confirmed that investigations had begun to determine the exact cause of the power surge and to assess the extent of the damage. The official also advised residents to install surge protectors and to switch off appliances during power fluctuations to prevent similar incidents.
“The fire was caused by a power surge. We advise members of the public to always switch off their electrical appliances when not in use and to avoid using substandard electrical materials, as these are major causes of fire outbreaks,” the official said.
The affected family, who were not at home at the time of the incident, has appealed for assistance from the government and well-meaning individuals. The loss of property has been described as devastating, with the family estimating the damage to run into millions of naira.
The fire outbreak is the latest in a series of fire incidents linked to power surges in Nigeria, where unstable electricity supply has been a persistent challenge. The Federal Government has pledged to invest in power infrastructure to improve supply stability and reduce the risk of such incidents, but residents continue to bear the cost of the country’s unreliable power supply.
The Anambra State Government has expressed sympathy for the affected family and promised to provide relief support. However, the incident has reignited calls for the government to address the root causes of power surges and to improve the safety of electricity supply in the state. For now, the family is left to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives from the ashes. The Fire Service has also urged residents to be vigilant and to report electrical faults to the relevant authorities promptly to prevent further incidents.
