Also, the NSCDC said a lady whose wedding is billed for next month was also burnt beyond recognition in the inferno.
Spokesperson of the NSCDC, Rivers State Command, Olufemi Ayodele, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Ayodele, while condemning the incident said 18 persons died in the inferno while 25 persons were rescued by operatives of NSCDC.
On the cause of the incident, he said preliminary investigations on the Sunday night inferno show that it was caused by a local refinery cooking pot constructed close to an oil reservoir that contained combustible materials.
He said the burning temperature eventually became too high and caused the fire.
The statement reads, “Thus, the fire disaster which occurred in Ibaa community is highly condemnable and uncalled for.
“There is a need for conscious effort and stronger collaborations with the traditional institutions, community youths, and religious leaders amongst others to fight against oil bunkering activities in our various communities and this begins with giving credible intelligence and information to the NSCDC, the lead agency in the fight against vandalism of oil pipelines and protection of critical national assets and infrastructures in Rivers State”.
“The state NSCDC Commandant, Basil Igwebueze, hinted that information gathered suffice that the fire incident started at a very late hour hence 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition while 25 injured persons were rescued.
“From our preliminary findings, it was gathered that the inferno was caused by a local refinery cooking pot constructed close to an oil reservoir which contained combustible materials, the burning temperature eventually became too high and the environment gutted fire.”
Continuing, he said, “We also gathered that the cooking pot belonged to one Mr. John Bodo who sustained severe fire injuries while his son, Uche Bodo, a fresh graduate, died on the spot.
“It is also lamentable to relay that most of the victims were youths; then a pregnant woman and a young lady getting ready for her marriage ceremony next month were all casualties.”
While condoling with the affected families; the NSCDC state helmsman warned against the activities of illegal local refineries in communities across the state.
Igwebueze further said such negative activities cause huge damage to the environment and ‘irreparable loss’.
“Therefore, critical stakeholders must align and vehemently fight against illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State,” he said.
