TheCable

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says two men died in the fire outbreak that gutted a section of the Canadian high commission in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Isa also confirmed that a diesel tank explosion was responsible for the fire incident.

Nkechi Isa, FEMA spokesperson, made the confirmation in a statement on Monday evening.

Earlier, it was unclear what had started the fire at the Canadian high commission building.

However, there were reports that there was an explosion at the commission’s power-generating plant.

According to Isa, the diesel tank exploded around 10:45 a.m. in the commission’s generator house when two MIKANO generators were being serviced by a five-man team from JMD company.

“One of the generators was said to be working, while the other one was being serviced when a tank containing 2,000 litres of diesel in the generator house exploded,” Isa said.

“Two of the personnel servicing the generator died from the explosion while two others survived with severe burns and were taken to the Trauma Centre at the National Hospital, Abuja.”

The FEMA spokesperson added that the FCT fire service was able to contain the fire around 12.30 p.m. while ambulances from the ministry of defence, federal fire service, and FEMA were on standby.

Mohammed Sabo, acting FEMA director-general, called for caution while handling petroleum products with the onset of the dry season.

Sabo asked residents to always use the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of any disaster or emergency.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier sympathised with the government of Canada and offered aid to any of the staff affected by the fire incident.