The Enugu State Fire Service has announced the untimely passing of Mr. Chigozie Ugwu, a mechanical engineer and leader of a team of fire officers.
The tragedy unfolded after Mr. Ugwu and his team successfully extinguished a fire at the Enugu State Motor Spare Parts Market, which resulted in the destruction of fewer than 10 shops and merchandise valued at millions of naira.
Mr. Okwudili Ohaa, the Director of the Enugu State Fire Service, confirmed the death to reporters, expressing profound sorrow over the loss of such a committed and respected member of their team.
Mr. Ugwu, who had 15 firemen under his command, was remembered for his unwavering dedication, even in the face of illness.
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“We responded promptly to the call to extinguish the fire at the market,” Mr. Ohaa recounted. “Despite the successful operation, we faced the unfortunate loss of our team leader and most senior officer.
He had been unwell and might have inhaled smoke during the incident. His dedication was unparalleled; he continued to work despite his illness, a testament to his character.”
The fire, which is suspected to have originated from an electrical fault in one of the shops, quickly spread to a nearby fast-food joint. Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze began in a spare parts shop before escalating.
Mr. Mike Nome, President of the Spare Parts Market Association, confirmed the extensive damage, with goods worth millions lost to the flames.
The firefighting team’s swift action limited the damage to less than 10 shops, contradicting initial reports of 40 shops being affected.
However, the incident took a tragic turn when Mr. Ugwu collapsed while his team was packing up their equipment.
Despite immediate efforts to assist him, he was pronounced dead at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane.
Mr. Ugwu’s passing has left a void in the fire service community, where he was regarded as one of the finest officers.
A graduate of mechanical engineering from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), he was known for his honesty and dedication.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities exploring the possibility of an electrical fault.
In the meantime, the market association has appealed to the government and benevolent individuals for assistance in the wake of this devastating event.