Three departments of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Ilorin in Kwara State have been completely razed by fire.
According to the General Manager of the station, Waheed Popoola, while speaking with reporters, the fire outbreak occurred as a result of the electrical surge which started in the middle of the night and completely razed the marketing department, part of the programs unit, and part of the General Manager and head of the news unit offices.
Popoola noted that production equipment like digital video cameras, editing gadgets, and other equipment got burnt into ashes.
Spokesperson of the Kwara state Fire Service Hassan Adekunle confirmed the incident to journalists
He said: “Out of the 28 offices in the burnt building only three offices were affected and a conference hall.”
Adekunle said firemen “arrived at the incident promptly at exactly 11.29pm which was just four minutes after the NTA’s ‘turn out time.
“Although on getting to the incident, the raging fire was huge and had occupied several places within the premised areas.
“Yet, the firefighters conquered the fire as a result of good technicality and methods used by the firemen present at the scene of the incident.”
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commiserated with management of NTA over the incident.
In a statement by his spokesperson Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor said he was at the scene of the incident around 1am on Wednesday.
He said that the fire incident could have destroyed the entire facility but for the combined interventions of the Federal and the state fire services.
Ajakaye said: “We commiserate with the NTA over this unfortunate incident. But the bright side is that no life was lost. Also, the quick intervention of the fire services helped to save not just the facilities but the adjoining estate which could have been affected.
“This incident again underscores the need for everyone to do more to prevent such in the future. We commend the alertness of those who quickly called the fire services and our firemen for their prompt response and professionalism. We will continue to do more to support not just the fire service but also all other emergency responders.
“Everybody must be more alert. Our fire service will continue to be proactive by not only putting out the fire but also educating the people. However, we urge citizens to also take serious interest in how to curtail fire incidents which are becoming rampant.”
