Niger Biscuit Co. Limited, producer of Cabin biscuit, at Creek Road, Apapa was, on Sunday, gutted by fire as one of its diesel tanks exploded, leaving three casualties and destroying property worth several billions of naira.
The fire, which was said to have started at 12pm, left three persons terribly injured. The casualties included the company’s security guard and two fighter fighters, who were rushed to the hospital.
According to an eyewitness and staff of the company, the incident started from an electrical socket from the last floor of the first building at 12pm. It affected one of the diesel tanks, which immediately exploded. “We all rushed out when we saw it. We called the fire fighters. They got here 20 minutes later and have been trying to contain it.”
However, the eyewitness said the fighters came with their trucks but without water. “They have been using our system to fight the fire. Everything the are using is ours.”
While nine fire service companies like the Nigerian Ports Authority Marina headquarter, Fire Eagle, Nigerian Navy, Lagos State Fire Service Alausa, Ilupeju, and UBA joint forces to kill the flames, BusinessDay gathered that they were able to get more water from Folawiyo in Apapa to continue, as their tankers went dry.
In the meantime, one of the buildings had collapsed and another was following suit. One of the fire fighters from Alausa, Ogunbanjo Kazeem, said it took them over one hour to bring down the scourging flames. “We are all working unanimously to contain it,” he assured.
Speaking further, S.A Kehinde, head of station, assistant chief fire superintendent, Sari Iganmu, said they were called at 2:15pm. “Within 20 minutes, we got here with one truck. I notified other fire stations. We have about nine of them here.”
Although one of my men and I were injured when the building collapsed, mine is minor. “But we shall contain the fire in the next three hours as Bronto Sky Lift alongside Julius Berger trucks joined forces.
According to a reliable source, who spoke with BusinessDay on anonymity, the problem they have in Niger Biscuit is that they laid off about 200 workers alongside those in the fire service department just last month.
OSA VICTOR OBAYAGBONA
