A swift intervention by the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Taraba State Command, has prevented a fire outbreak at Moulds Nigeria Limited, a construction company in Jalingo, from escalating into a major disaster, saving property estimated at N150 million.
The incident, which occurred on Friday at the company’s premises in the Panti Mading area along Lau Road, affected some warehouses and parts of the surrounding environment, raising concerns over fire safety in industrial and commercial establishments.
However, the timely response of firefighters helped contain the inferno before it could cause further destruction, with the Command confirming that no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.
In a statement, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdulwahab Bello, disclosed that the Service received a distress call at approximately 4:30 p.m. reporting the outbreak.
According to him, a firefighting team operating appliance FFS 206 was immediately deployed and arrived at the scene at about 4:50 p.m., barely 20 minutes after the emergency was reported.
“The operation was led by ASF II Tanimu Aliyu, with ASF II Edwin serving as the driver. The team successfully brought the fire under control using a medium water jet,” Bello said.
He added that a subsequent inspection of the premises confirmed that the fire had been completely extinguished, with no further signs of active flames.
Beyond the immediate damage caused by the outbreak, the financial implications of the incident underscore the importance of rapid emergency response in protecting businesses and valuable assets.
The Federal Fire Service estimated that property worth approximately ₦150 million was saved, while the value of property lost to the fire was put at ₦50 million.
Bello further explained that after successfully containing the fire and conducting a safety assessment, the firefighting team returned to its station at about 7:31 p.m.
A Wake-up Call on Fire Safety
While the successful operation prevented a potentially greater loss, the incident has once again highlighted the risks confronting warehouses, construction companies and other industrial facilities, particularly where combustible materials, electrical installations and inadequate fire prevention measures may combine to create dangerous conditions.
Against this backdrop, the Federal Fire Service has urged business owners to strengthen their fire prevention arrangements by providing adequate firefighting equipment and ensuring that electrical installations and other potential sources of fire are properly maintained.
The Command also appealed to members of the public to report fire outbreaks immediately, stressing that early notification remains critical to enabling emergency responders to intervene before an incident develops into a major disaster.
For residents and business operators in Taraba State, the Jalingo incident serves as a reminder that fire prevention must remain a priority rather than a response to disaster.
The Federal Fire Service, Taraba State Command, can be reached on 07064454730 for fire emergencies.