The Kaduna State Fire Service said it had recorded no fewer than 76 fire outbreaks in the first quarter of this year’s.

Mr. Paul Aboi, Director of the service, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kaduna.

He explained that the statistics include shops at various markets across the state and residential houses where fire outbreaks occurred.

Aboi attributed most of the occurrences to negligence on the part of the people which mostly leads to fire disasters.

“We recorded 76 fire outbreaks in Kaduna State in the first quarter of this year.

“Most of the occurrence which affected mostly shops and residential buildings were as a result of total negligence on the part of its occupants,” he said.

The Directir called on the people to take precaution particularly during the dry season, so as to avert any incidence of fire disaster.

According to him, fire outbreaks mostly occur without signs but that from eperience fire outbreaks are common during the harmattan  season.

”Harmattan season is here and people must take precautionary measures to curtail incidence of fire outbreak.

“Prevention is key in fire prevention, and so people should turn off electrical gadgets and other appliances when not in use.

” Most residents and shop owners are careless in handling electrical appliances, they mostly forget to put off their appliances after they close for the day and that is very dangerous, ‘ he said

He urged market associations, organizations and students that had benefited from the agency’s sensitization campaigns against fire outbreaks to step down the knowledge to others.

” We need to continue to sensitizing and informing the public on the importance of safety measures in residential and business environments to curtail fire outbreaks.

” As part of disaster management, the department will do everything possible, including sensitization and quick response to prevent fire outbreaks”.

He called on the general public to alert the Service in case of any fire outbreak for quick response. NAN)