There was a fire outbreak this morning at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Abuja razing the Conference Hall where the National Working Committee (NWC) meets every week and destroying drapes, furniture and a stockpile of documents, which were kept in the hall.
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However the timely intervention of men of the Civil Defence Corps and fire fighters averted what could have been a major fire disaster. THEWILL gathered that the fire started as a result of a spark from an Air conditioner causing a billow of smoke which was first noticed as early as 8.30 am in the PDP conference Room.
A Passerby who noticed the smoke reportedly raised an alarm which fortunately attracted the attention of men of Civil Defence whose head office is located a few metres away from the PDP secretariat. The Civil Defence officials in conjunction with other fire fighters who were precept at the time of fire outbreak and fire fighters were able to contain the inferno before it could extend to adjoining offices.
When our correspondent visited the secretariat, it was discovered that the entire hall had been razed including the drapes, furniture and a stock of old documents belonging to the party usually kept there in. The fire incident occurred just when most national officials of the party were in Abia State to welcome the state governor, Chief Orji back into the party.
Meanwhile, both the Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo and the Commander General of Civil Defence Corps, Ade Abolurin had paid visits to the PDP national headquarters for on the spot assessments. But in a swift reaction, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Professor Ahmed Rufai Alkali has said the incident was just an accident and not sabotage. In a press statement, the publicity secretary noted that, "There was an outbreak of fire at the National Secretariat of our Party today, the fire started at the NWC meeting room on the second floor.
"From Preliminary reports, we learnt that the fire started from an Air conditioner in the hall. The quick intervention of the Fire Service personnel, Civil Defence Corps and staff of the Secretariat quickly contained the fire and stopped it from spreading. "We wish to commend all those who moved in QUICKLY and stopped what would have otherwise become a major disaster," the statement said.
Source: The Will.
