Twins Escape Death as Inferno Destroys Building in Abakaliki

A devastating fire incident on Saturday evening razed a one storey residential building located opposite Geneza Hotel along the ever busy Onwe Road in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, throwing residents into panic and causing massive traffic congestion in the area.

The inferno, which eyewitnesses described as intense and frightening, reportedly destroyed the entire building and properties worth millions of naira. The incident also nearly claimed the lives of 13 months old twins who were trapped inside one of the apartments while their mother had briefly stepped out to buy some items at a nearby market.

Residents said the fire started shortly after electricity was restored to the area by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, popularly known as EEDC.

According to eyewitness accounts, occupants of nearby houses first heard a loud explosion- like sound from the building moments before thick smoke and flames engulfed the upper floor of the structure.

The loud sound immediately triggered fear among residents and business owners around the area, forcing many people to hurriedly evacuate their families, move vehicles away from the scene, and salvage whatever valuables they could rescue before the fire spread further.

A resident who spoke anonymously said the incident occurred barely 15 minutes after electricity supply was restored.

“We suddenly heard a very loud sound from the building, almost like an explosion, and within minutes fire started coming out from the upper floor,” the resident recounted.

“People started shouting and running because nobody knew what exactly caused it. Some believed it was a gas cylinder explosion while others suspected an electrical appliance that may have been left plugged in before power was restored.”

The source explained that confusion and panic intensified after residents discovered that two toddlers were trapped inside the burning building.

According to him, neighbours and sympathisers made desperate attempts to gain access into the apartment to rescue the children while the fire continued to spread rapidly through the structure.

“It was a terrible scene. Everybody was shouting and trying to help. The twins were inside while their mother had gone to buy something nearby. Thankfully, people acted quickly,” the resident added.

When journalists visited the scene around 7:58 p.m., the fire was still raging uncontrollably, with no firefighters or fire service vehicles in sight.

Residents expressed anger and frustration over the delayed response from the Ebonyi State Fire Service, alleging that repeated calls to emergency officials yielded little result.

“We called the fire service several times, but they kept giving excuses,” another resident alleged.

“At one point, they said they did not have fuel to mobilise to the scene. Some people were even told that they do not usually operate on Saturdays. Meanwhile, people’s homes and valuables were being destroyed.”

The absence of emergency responders forced residents, passersby, and local business operators to rely on improvised measures to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring buildings.

A commercial motorcyclist identified as Olem Mike praised the management and staff of Geneza Hotel for their swift intervention, saying their efforts helped stop what could have turned into a larger disaster.

“When we arrived, the fire was already very serious because it started upstairs before spreading downward,” Mike said.

“There were still no firefighters around at that time, so everyone around began trying to help in any way possible.”

According to him, the hotel management immediately brought out several fire extinguishers and also opened their water reservoir for residents to fetch water and battle the flames.

“The management and workers of the hotel really tried their best. Without their support, the fire could have spread to nearby compounds and shops. They deserve commendation for their quick action,” he added.

The incident caused severe traffic gridlock along Onwe Road as motorists slowed down to observe the scene while hundreds of residents gathered around the burning building.

Some angry youths and residents reportedly threatened to confront officials of the fire service over what they described as negligence and an unacceptable delay in emergency response.

Firefighters eventually arrived at the scene at about 8:47 p.m. more than two hours after the fire reportedly began.

Sources at the scene said the fire service personnel arrived alongside two Hilux vans carrying armed policemen amid fears they could be attacked by frustrated residents angered by the delayed intervention.

Although firefighters later succeeded in preventing the inferno from spreading further, the building had already been extensively damaged before their arrival.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by the Ebonyi State Fire Service regarding the cause of the fire or the allegations made by residents concerning the delayed response.

The exact cause of the incident also remained unclear, though many residents suspected it may have been linked to an electrical surge or a gas cylinder explosion following the restoration of electricity supply in the area.