From Kemi Yesufu,
Abuja
A section of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, was gutted by fire early yesterday.
The inferno, which started from an office on the third floor in the Ministry of Health headquarters, destroyed electronic items and furniture before men of the Fire Service quenched it.
It was learnt that some security personnel who observed the fire raised the alarm, which drew the attention of emergency rescue workers around the area. Men of the Federal and FCT Fire Services who were informed about the incident arrived shortly after and extinguished the fire.
Director, Media and Public Relations at the ministry, Boade Akinola, explained in a statement that the fire was caused by a spark from cables and wires but was promptly put out by staff of a private security firm who were on duty this morning.
The statement read in part: “An electric spark from cables and wires resulted in a small fire on the corridor of the third floor, wing B of the Federal Ministry of Health Headquarters this morning.
“The private security outfit in charge of the premises swung into action and also contacted the fire service which responded immediately and put off the fire.
“There was no damage to any government property neither did it affect any of the offices in the building.”