By Austin Ogwuda
Asaba—NO fewer than 15 persons lost their lives in various fire incidents in Delta State, while property worth over N12 billion was rescued, state Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Tony Nwaka, has said.

Mr. Nwaka, in an interview with newsmen in Asaba, yesterday, said the state government had established a ‘combined quick response scheme,’ aimed at providing an enabling environment for public and private sector to be involved in the fight against fire incidents in the state.

He said that 13 persons  lost their lives in fire incidents in the state last year while 11 persons were rescued, adding, “The office of the State Fire Services, which is an arm of the Bureau,  attended to 385 fire calls and four false calls.”

He lamented that despite the spirited efforts of the fire officers, about N2 billion property were lost to fire.

“The state government had given relief materials and other grants through the State Emergency Relief Agency, SERA, to different communities confronted with various natural or man-made disasters including communal crises across the state,” he added.