Fire outbreak at Canadian Embassy leaves two dead, two hospitalised
Two Nigerians are reported to have died and two others were hospitalized at the National Hospital Trauma Centre in Abuja, Nigeria, with severe burns following a fire that broke out at the Canadian Embassy on Monday.
The cause of the fire is believed to have been a diesel tank explosion in the generator house at the embassy.
The incident happened at 10:45 a.m., and reports indicated that two MIKANO engines were being serviced by a team of five from JMD company when an explosion occurred.
One of the engines was in use, while the other was being serviced when a tank containing 2,000 litres of diesel in the generator house caught fire.
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Firefighters from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service, ambulances, and personnel from the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were dispatched to the scene to contain the fire and offer assistance.
The head of FEMA’s Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, reported that the fire was contained around 12:30 p.m.
She said that two personnel servicing the generator were fatally injured, while two other survivors were hospitalized with severe burns.
Speaking after the incident, the Acting Director-General of FEMA, Mohammed Ibrahim Sabo, called for caution in the handling of petroleum products, particularly during the dry season.
He urged residents to call 112 emergency toll-free numbers in the event of a disaster.