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Bayelsa Fire Claims Life of 11-Year-Old, Destroys Properties

Published by admin on January 2nd, 2026.

Bayelsa Fire Claims Life of 11-Year-Old, Destroys Properties

A tragic fire outbreak in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has claimed the life of an 11-year-old child on New Year’s Day. The incident was one of several fire emergencies recorded across different parts of the country during the festive period.

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) confirmed the development in a statement released on Thursday by its spokesperson, Paul Abraham. According to the statement, the Bayelsa incident involved a residential building made of wood, which was gutted by fire.

Firefighters were able to salvage properties estimated at about ₦10 million, but losses were put at approximately ₦20 million. Sadly, the blaze resulted in the death of the young child. Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by an unattended candle.

The statement also reported another major fire incident that occurred shortly after midnight at Cake Hot Restaurant, located within River Plate Park in Wuse, Abuja. Fire crews from the Federal Fire Service, working alongside the FCT Fire Service, swiftly responded and successfully prevented the fire from spreading further in the busy recreational area.

Although part of the restaurant’s garden was affected, no casualties or injuries were recorded. Properties worth an estimated ₦1.5 billion were saved, while damages were assessed at about ₦500 million. Early findings linked the cause of the fire to objects thrown into the area during New Year celebrations, highlighting ongoing concerns about fireworks and similar activities.

Abraham added that firefighters also responded to multiple fire outbreaks in Lagos, Imo, Gombe, and Kwara states, effectively containing the situations and limiting property damage.

The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Adeyemi Olumode, expressed condolences to families affected by the incidents and emphasized the importance of observing fire safety measures, especially during the harmattan season. He advised Nigerians to always switch off and unplug electrical appliances when not in use, avoid open flames and fireworks indoors, and promptly report any fire outbreak.

“Fire can start within seconds, from Abuja to Yenagoa. However, with alertness and strict adherence to safety precautions, many of these incidents can be avoided. Protecting lives and property should always come before celebrations,” Adeyemi said.

He noted that the swift response recorded nationwide was made possible by a directive ensuring that no firefighter proceeded on leave during the festive period. This measure, he said, ensured that emergency crews were readily available to handle multiple incidents as the new year began, serving as a reminder of the dangers fire poses when safety rules are ignored.