A section of the Rivers State Secretariat in Port Harcourt was on Monday evening gutted by fire, damaging parts of the complex before it was eventually brought under control.
The fire reportedly broke out shortly after 5 p.m., causing panic among workers and passersby. According to eyewitnesses, the blaze spread quickly before the Rivers State Fire Service arrived at the scene to contain it, preventing further destruction of nearby offices.
Although the exact cause of the incident has not been officially confirmed, preliminary findings suggest that an electrical fault may have triggered the outbreak.
The Rivers State Head of Service, Inyingi Brown, also hinted that an electrical malfunction was responsible for the fire. She urged all government employees to ensure that electrical appliances are properly switched off before leaving their offices to prevent future occurrences.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the fire may have affected the State Pension Commission, though the extent of damage has not yet been determined.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the full impact of the incident as investigations continue.
