Neighbour’s Sallah cooking fire guts journalist’s home, no casualty recorded

A journalist with Radio Nigeria’s Globe FM, Bauchi, Mr. Murtala Muhammad, has revealed details of how a fire that originated from a neighbouring compound where Sallah meat was being fried destroyed part of his three-bedroom apartment.

The incident occurred on Thursday night last week, a day after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

According to Muhammad, the fire started after his neighbours finished frying meat and believed the fire had been extinguished, only for it to reignite later and spread to his building.

“They fried the meat and put out the fire, but after some time it reignited and spread to our roof. The incident occurred between 11:30 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.

“I was outside taking tea while my wife was cooking in the front yard. She went inside to pick something and discovered that flames from the rooftop had started affecting one of our bedrooms,” he said.

Muhammad said he immediately raised the alarm and sought help from neighbours, who responded swiftly to contain the blaze.

“One of them called the Fire Service several times, but nobody responded.

“Another person rode a motorcycle to the Fire Service station to alert them.

“They later arrived with their fire truck and joined efforts to extinguish the fire,” he said.

He said although valuable property was destroyed, no life was lost in the incident.

“I lost valuable items, but thanks to Allah, no life was lost,” he added.

Muhammad disclosed that the owner of the house where the fire originated, popularly known as Wakilin Birni, a former member of the House of Representatives and former APC Bauchi South senatorial candidate, accepted responsibility for the incident and apologised.

“I commend him. That night, he accommodated my family and me in his house.

“He has repaired the damaged part of my apartment and repainted it. He also assisted me in other ways. I appreciate his support,” he said.