By Abdulrahman Abdullahi, Yenagoa
National News – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has sympathised with victims of the fire incident that gutted parts of Baybridge community in the Kpansia area of Yenagoa on Friday, directing relevant agencies to investigate the cause of the inferno.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, the governor visited the scene alongside top government officials and heads of security and emergency agencies to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire.
Among those on the inspection tour were the Comptroller of the Federal Fire Service in the state, Diton Amos, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Daniel Iyamah.
Speaking to journalists after the assessment, Akpe described the incident as unfortunate but expressed gratitude that no life was lost.
He commended personnel of the fire service, the police and residents of the area for their prompt response, noting that their intervention prevented the disaster from escalating.
Akpe said the government had directed the police, the State Security Department and the Federal Fire Service to investigate the incident to determine whether it resulted from an electrical fault or any other cause.
He added that electricity supply to the affected area would remain disconnected pending the outcome of the investigation.
“We are here on behalf of Governor Douye Diri to identify with the victims. Though the incident is unfortunate, we thank God that no life was lost. We commend the fire service, security agencies and neighbours whose swift intervention helped contain the fire,” he said.
He assured residents that the government would take necessary steps to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident and prevent a recurrence.
Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Daniel Iyamah, said officers were immediately deployed to secure the area after receiving reports of the fire, adding that investigations were ongoing.
The Director-General of the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), Walamam Igrubia, expressed concern over the incident and said officials had been deployed to document affected persons and assess losses.
According to him, although properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, the fact that no life was lost remained a source of relief.
One of the victims, Mrs. Douye Josephine Yallah, who sustained injuries, said the fire broke out around 9 a.m. and destroyed valuables worth millions of naira.
Another victim, Miss Blessing Sobotie, and an eyewitness, Pastor Ezekiel Oteigbanyon, said they heard a loud explosion before noticing thick smoke rising from the rooftop, prompting residents to raise the alarm.
Sobotie described the destruction as devastating and appealed to the government and public-spirited individuals for assistance.
Dr. Akpe was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Dr. Favour Akpe, Commissioners for Health and Lands and Survey, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe and Perepuighe Biewari, as well as other senior government officials.
