By Charles Pemu 
PORT HARCOURT—Panic erupted at the Rivers State Secretariat complex on Monday after a fire broke out, gutting parts of the ground floor of the Podium Block.
The Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi Brown, confirmed that there were no casualties in the incident. Speaking to newsmen at the scene, Dr. Brown assured the public that the inferno had been successfully contained through a swift, coordinated response.
“We were informed that there was a fire incident at the right wing, ground floor of Podium Block, and we immediately made calls to the Rivers State Fire Service, and they responded promptly,” she stated.
The operation involved a combined effort, with assistance quickly deployed from the State Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Renaissance, and the military, all of whom sent fire trucks.
Dr. Brown was quick to credit the state government for its foresight, noting that the situation could have been far worse.
“We thank God, and we thank His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara for being proactive in rehabilitating the fire service before this time. If not for his investment in the Fire Service, this situation would have been worse,” she stressed.
While state medical services were on the ground to handle any emergencies, no life was lost.
The Head of Service maintained that preliminary reports suggest the cause of the fire may have been an electrical fault.
She issued an urgent appeal to all civil servants to take personal responsibility for safety, urging them to strictly adhere to protocols. “We urge all civil servants to take responsibility in safety. Put off our sockets and our lights. Not just putting off the sockets, but unplugging to ensure there is no residual charge because these buildings are heritage buildings and we don’t want anything to happen to them,” she emphasized.
Dr. Brown also assured that Governor Fubara is working on measures to refurbish the affected buildings, with details to be announced soon.