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Fire guts Rivers Secretariat days after Fubara’s warning to top officials.
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Thick smoke, panic as workers flee scene amid poor emergency response.
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Cause remains unknown as political tension heightens in Rivers State.
Panic erupted in Port Harcourt on Monday morning as fire gutted a section of the Rivers State Secretariat complex, which accommodates several government ministries.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the incident occurred just days after Governor Siminalayi Fubara warned he would deal decisively with permanent secretaries allegedly involved in financial misconduct under the previous administration.
The fire reportedly started in one of the blocks within the secretariat complex, sending thick smoke into the air and forcing civil servants and passersby to flee for safety. The cause of the fire remains unknown at the time of this report.
Eyewitnesses said residents and workers from nearby offices rushed to the scene after noticing the flames. Many gathered along Moscow Road and the Township axis as efforts to contain the blaze were hindered by the delayed arrival of firefighters.
The slow response of the Rivers State Fire Service drew widespread criticism, with onlookers lamenting the poor state of emergency preparedness in the state.
The incident comes amid rising political tension in Rivers State following Governor Fubara’s recent remarks accusing some senior civil servants of engaging in illegal transactions. Many residents have begun to speculate on possible foul play, though no official cause has been confirmed.
As of press time, authorities have yet to release an official statement on the extent of the damage or possible casualties.
