A devastating fire outbreak, reportedly caused by an electrical surge, has claimed the lives of three individuals, left several others with varying degrees of burns, and destroyed properties worth millions of naira in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The tragic incident occurred around midnight on Sunday, June 1, 2025, following the restoration of electricity by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED). Residents said the power was restored with high voltage, which triggered electrical sparks in multiple buildings.
Among the deceased were an officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), a pregnant woman, and one other unidentified victim. A survivor Justina Moses, a vegetable farmer and mother of five, recounted her narrow escape from the inferno. According to her, the NDLEA officer, who was her neighbour, was electrocuted while attempting to switch his electrical connection during the power surge.
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The resulting spark from the fuse ignited the fire that engulfed the area. “I lost everything in that fire, money, property, and the roof over my head. Since the incident, my children and I have been sleeping outside. We are homeless, and I have no money to rent another place. I’m pleading with the government and kind-hearted Nigerians for help.”
Another victim, Micah Akpan, blamed PHED for what he described as negligence. “The fire started immediately PHED restored electricity with a very high voltage. There was an explosion, and we tried using water mixed with detergent to put out the fire, but it only got worse. The power wasn’t cut off even while the fire raged.
PHED should have responded faster to the surge”. In response to the incident, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, Executive Director of the Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), called for a thorough investigation into the root cause of the fire.
“From what we observed, the fire may have started from a faulty electrical appliance in one of the buildings, not necessarily from the high-tension lines.” “It’s essential we conduct a proper investigation before apportioning blame. Many houses in the area have substandard wiring that cannot handle heavy electrical loads like air conditioners, which can lead to disasters like this.”
He urged residents and landlords to prioritize safety by upgrading faulty electrical systems and ensuring professional wiring in their buildings. Meanwhile, the affected families continue to appeal for urgent government intervention and public assistance to rebuild their lives after the tragic loss.
