The Federal Fire Service (FFS), Cross River Command, says properties estimated at over N3 billion were destroyed by fire in the state in 2025.

The State Commanding Officer of the Service, Mrs Olumayowa Olomola, disclosed this on Wednesday in Calabar in an interview.

Omolola said that the value of destruction was recorded from 18 fire incidents that affected 14 houses across the state.

The commanding officer described the nature of the incidents to include gas explosion, electrical fire, bush fire, and petroleum products.

According to her, these fire incidents led to two deaths, while five people sustained various degrees of injuries.

Omolola said the Command is doing its best within it limits, and appeals for more support in the area of logistics.

According to her, the command is confronted with the challenges of a shortage of diesel, unavailability of water tankers, ambulances, and utility vehicles.

She also spoke on the need to open more fire offices within Calabar city and other local government areas of the state.

Meanwhile, the Federal Fire Service has said that two lives were lost and property worth N1.59 billion was destroyed by fire in Bauchi State between January and December 2025.

The Public Relations Officer of the service’s Bauchi State Command, Umar Lawal, disclosed this in fire outbreak statistics made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

Lawal said the command also saved four lives and property worth N2.86 billion in 167 fire incidents reported within the period under review.

He said the incidents affected public and government buildings, private dwellings, educational establishments, markets, petrol and gas stations, as well as automobiles.

According to him, properties worth N23 million were lost, while N855.1 million worth of property was saved in 10 fire incidents involving public and government buildings.

Lawal added that properties valued at N605 million were lost, while N1.4 billion worth of property was saved in 80 fire incidents that engulfed private dwellings.

He further said N120 million worth of property was destroyed, and N200 million was saved in fires that affected educational establishments.

Lawal attributed most of the fire incidents to electrical equipment malfunction, power surges, illegal storage of petroleum products, accidents, and fires from dustbins.

He advised residents to ensure the safekeeping of electrical appliances when not in use and warned against overloading sockets, noting that such practices increase the risk of fire outbreaks.

“Fire safety is essential in every aspect of human activities, and if we can prevent fire outbreak occurrence, we can save our lives, properties, and the environment we live in for our daily activities,” he said.