The Federal Fire Service (FFS) says six persons were rescued alive after a section of Whitefield Rice Mills Processing Company collapsed in Gezawa LGA of Kano state.
Kazeem Sholadaye, state controller of the FFS, said in a statement on Tuesday that the service received a distress call at about 6:45 pm on Monday and immediately deployed firefighters and rescue personnel from the Danzaki Fire Station.
Sholadaye said the collapse was caused by excessive loading of stored items in a section of the facility, adding that no life was lost in the incident.
“We received a distress call from one Mr Johnson at about 6:45 p.m. on Monday evening,” he said.
“Upon receiving the report, we immediately deployed our firefighters and rescue personnel from the Danzaki Fire Station.
“The rescue team used shovels, grinding machines and other equipment to remove debris and gain access to the trapped victims,” he added.
“Through the professionalism and coordinated efforts of our personnel, six persons were rescued alive from the collapsed building.”
He added that the firefighters’ swift response helped save property valued at about N15 million, although property worth an estimated N10 million was destroyed.
Sholadaye urged residents, property owners and developers to ensure their buildings are structurally sound, avoid overloading of structures, and promptly report signs of structural distress to the appropriate authorities.
He also emphasised the need for regular structural inspections and strict compliance with building safety standards to prevent building collapses and protect lives and property.
Kano building collapse
Kano State
Whitefield Rice Mills Processing Company
