Two pregnant women, two babies and eight others have been confirmed dead, following the fire outbreak at the Bonny-Bille jetty, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Our Correspondent who was at the scene of the incident reports that the eight twelve victims were burnt beyond recognition in the fire.
Over sixty wooden and fibre boats were also destroyed by the fire that was said to have started at about 1:15am on Monday when some persons were off-loading illegally refined petroleum products, known as kpofire, after conveying it across the water.
According to our correspondent, the jetty is often used for the storage of inflammable substances like petroleum products used in powering the speed boat engines in makeshift buildings within the area.
Recall that the last fire outbreak at the jetty was in November, 2021, during which several persons were burnt and properties estimated to worth millions of naira, destroyed.
Meanwhile, Rivers State government has issued a two weeks ultimatum to all those living around the jetty to vacate the area after which demolition of shanties will commence.
Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Onowu, stated this when he visited the scene of the fire outbreak and confirmed that the incident was caused by a gas cylinder explosion inside a boat fully loaded with sixty gallons of illegal petroleum products.
The Commissioner further said the incident has vindicated the state government’s fight against illegal oil bunkering activities in the state.
Also, the Rivers state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has bemoaned the deaths and injuries caused by the inferno that occurred at the jetty.
Governor Wike said he is deeply saddened to learn of the casualties and extensive damage to properties caused by the unfortunate incident.
“On behalf of the Government of Rivers state, I would like to offer my sincere prayers for the victims of the fire incident and extend my deepest condolences to their families. I would also like to sincerely pray for early recovery of those who were injured.”
The governor urged the Rivers state Police Command and other relevant security agencies to investigate and unravel the exact cause of this catastrophe.
