Fire destroys shelters, mosque at military checkpoint in Yobe

A fire outbreak on Thursday afternoon destroyed eight shelter rooms and a mosque at a military checkpoint along Gombe Road in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State, leaving one military personnel seriously injured.

Eyewitnesses said the fire was first noticed around 1:30pm when thick smoke began billowing from the checkpoint area.

Alarmed by the development, residents and security personnel immediately raised the alarm and made efforts to contain the blaze.

“People tried to control the fire immediately, but it spread very fast. The smoke was thick, and the fire affected almost the entire shelter area,” an eyewitness said.

The head of the Local Emergency Management Committee of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), Ahmad Daya, confirmed the incident in a phone interview with our correspondent, saying emergency responders acted swiftly to bring the situation under control.

“Our personnel responded immediately, and the fire was successfully contained. The injured military officer was evacuated for urgent medical attention. We are also working to provide assistance to those affected,” Daya said.

He said preliminary reports indicated that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, although a suspected electrical fault may have triggered the outbreak.

No other casualties were reported, while investigations into the incident are ongoing, he added.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the North East Operation Hadin Kai, Sector 2 in Damaturu, proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.

Daily Trust gathered that the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is coordinating relief efforts to support those displaced by the fire and ensure that their immediate needs, including temporary shelter and basic necessities, are provided.

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