ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- In the early hours of Wednesday, a devastating fire ravaged the well-known Roky Fella Night Club situated at Udoji Street, Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki, leading to the destruction of property valued at millions of naira.
Confirming the incident, Mr Raphael Ibiam, Ebonyi’s Chief Fire Officer, informed journalists that he received a distress call about the fire around 6:30 am.
“Items lost to the inferno included a generator, three big refrigerators, a bush bar, drinks and empty crates, among others,” he said.
“We were not called early enough and when I got the information, I immediately mobilised my men to the scene.
“Unfortunately, the fire had burnt down the entire club house.
“We did our best to prevent it from extending to other nearby houses,” Ibiam said.
The cause of the inferno remains undetermined, as investigations are ongoing, according to Ibiam.
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The fire engulfed valuable assets within the building, which housed a bar, restaurant, and the central nightclub area. Items lost to the flames included a generator, three large refrigerators, a bush bar, assorted drinks, and empty crates, among other valuables.
Fortunately, there were no casualties as fire service personnel promptly responded to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.
Casmir Eze, a resident of the area, lamented the significant loss, emphasizing the economic support and job opportunities the establishment provided to local residents and beyond.
“Since the club was established, it has provided economic support to many people, giving jobs to young school leavers in the area and beyond,” Eze said.
Similarly, Mr. Justin Ibe expressed astonishment at the suddenness of the incident, noting that he observed no signs of fire during his morning jog just minutes before the outbreak.
“It is surprising to see that such an ugly incident had happened within a few minutes.
“I passed through here at about 6:03am and there was no fire at that time but it was surprising when I heard that the building was razed under 20 minutes.
“The fire was possible because the structure was made with fibre and tarpaulin materials, so it could be flammable,” Ibe said.
The structure’s composition, made primarily of fiber and tarpaulin materials, likely contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, Ibe speculated.
Recall that various items, including television sets, air conditioners, electronic gadgets, musical equipment, and assorted beverages, were also consumed by the inferno.