A section of the Rivers State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt was engulfed in flames on Monday, October 6, sparking panic among civil servants and residents in the vicinity.
Eyewitness reports indicate that the fire originated from the Podium Block — one of the key administrative buildings within the Secretariat — which houses several ministries, including Works and Social Welfare. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the structure as workers scrambled to evacuate and secure vital documents.
Videos from the scene showed firefighters and emergency response teams racing to contain the blaze while security operatives cordoned off the area to prevent further chaos. The swift intervention by the fire service reportedly helped to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the complex.
Although the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, several offices and equipment are believed to have been affected. The cause of the fire has not yet been established, though preliminary speculations point to possible electrical faults.
As of press time, the Rivers State Government has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Investigations are expected to commence to ascertain the cause of the fire and evaluate the level of destruction.
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