Inferno Claims 2 Lives, Destroys N1.59bn Property In Bauchi

Fire outbreaks claimed two lives and destroyed property valued at N1.59 billion in Bauchi State between January and December 2025, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) has said.

The public relations officer of the Bauchi State Command of the service, Umar Lawal, disclosed this in a report released to journalists yesterday in Bauchi.

According to Lawal, the command responded to 167 fire incidents within the period under review, during which four lives were saved, and property worth N2.86 billion was protected from destruction.

He explained that the incidents affected public and government buildings, private residences, educational institutions, markets, petrol and gas stations, and automobiles across the state.

While giving a breakdown, Lawal said 10 fire incidents occurred in public and government buildings, resulting in the loss of property valued at N23 million, while assets worth N855.1 million were successfully saved.

He added that 80 fire incidents were recorded in private dwellings, resulting in the destruction of property valued at N605 million, while N1.4 billion in property was salvaged.

He added that fire outbreaks in educational institutions destroyed property worth N120 million, while N200 million was saved.

“In five market fire incidents, property worth N45 million was lost, while N90 million was saved,” he said.

Lawal further stated that 15 fire incidents affected petrol and gas stations, resulting in the loss of N23.7 million, while N53 million worth of property was saved.

He added that another 15 fire outbreaks involving automobiles led to the destruction of property valued at N70 million, while N33 million was salvaged.

The FFS spokesman attributed most of the fire incidents to electrical equipment malfunction, power surges, illegal storage of petroleum products, accidents, and refuse dump fires.

He advised residents to always switch off and properly secure electrical appliances when not in use, warning that overloading electrical circuits significantly increases the risk of fire outbreaks.

“Fire safety is essential in all aspects of human activities. Preventing fire outbreaks will help save lives, property, and protect the environment,” Lawal said.