Fire guts section of CBN office in Benue

There has been a fire outbreak at the Makurdi office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Benue state.

The fire is said to have started in the early hours of Thursday.

Although there is no official confirmation yet on the cause of the fire, TheCable learnt that the fire started from the fuel dome of the bank.

Donald Ikyaaza, director of Benue State Fire Service, also confirmed the incident to ThePunch.

He said the fire service received a distress call about the fire incident and promptly deployed his men to the scene.

He added that the fire has been subdued.

“It was a huge fire which started at the company’s fuel dome, but my men rushed to the scene and put out the fire before it could spread to other parts of the bank. Everywhere is calm now,” Ikyaaza said.

In a statement issued by Osita Nwanisobi, spokesperson of the CBN, the apex bank said the incident was minor with no damage to the branch.

“A minor fire occurred at our Makurdi Branch at about 7.00 a.m. today, Thursday, April 21, 2022, and was swiftly checked moments after it was detected,” the statement reads.

“The prompt response of the Bank’s security and facility management units as well as support from the Benue State Fire Service helped fight the fire and prevented any damage the fire might have caused to the main office building.

“Reports indicate that the fire started from the fuel dump behind the branch building sending smoke into the atmosphere.

“Fortunately, there were no fatalities, and the affected site has since been cordoned off for further investigation.

“Normal work has also continued at the branch.

“We hereby assure the general public that the minor fire that occurred has been effectively put out and no damage was done to the Makurdi branch of the Bank.”