Panic broke out at the Rivers State Secretariat in Port Harcourt on Monday evening after a fire engulfed part of the Podium Block, sending thick smoke into the air and causing chaos among staff and passersby. The incident, which began around 5:20 p.m., prompted a swift emergency response from multiple fire and rescue teams.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire originated from an air-conditioning unit on the ground floor, right wing of the Podium Block, suggesting an electrical fault as the likely cause. The timing of the incident drew attention, coming just days after Governor Siminalayi Fubara had addressed permanent secretaries, warning against practices that undermine the ethics of public service.

The State Fire Service, supported by the Federal Fire Service, Renaissance, and the military, acted swiftly to contain the blaze. Witnesses said over five fire trucks were deployed to the scene, ensuring the flames were quickly brought under control and preventing the fire from spreading to adjoining sections of the complex. Firefighters remained on site late into the evening to douse residual flames and monitor for possible reignition.

Dr. Inyingi Brown, Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, confirmed there were no casualties. Speaking at the scene, she praised the prompt and coordinated response of the fire services and expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for revitalizing the state’s fire service infrastructure. “Without that foresight and investment, this could have been a disaster,” she stated.

Although the building did not collapse, part of the Podium Block’s ground floor suffered extensive fire and water damage. Dr. Brown noted that preliminary investigations point to an electrical malfunction as the probable cause. She urged all civil servants to switch off and unplug all electrical appliances at the close of work to prevent similar incidents in the future, stressing that “these are heritage structures that require extra care.”

She further assured that Governor Fubara is already developing plans to refurbish and modernize the affected buildings, with details of the restoration initiative expected to be announced soon.

The quick containment of the fire has been widely praised as a testament to improved emergency preparedness and inter-agency coordination in Rivers State.