Discordant tunes trailed the fire outbreak
that razed down the palace of Eze Owere, Eze Emmanuel Njemanze last Sunday.
The fire which started in the early hours of
Sunday morning affected the entire building of the palace. Properties worth
millions of naira were affected including the traditional stool of Owere Nchi
Ise, vital documents, cultural and traditional items dear to the monarch
Reasons for the fire
outbreak were sketchy at press time, but a palace source said the fire started
from the top floor of the one storey building located few kilometres to
Government House, Owerri.
According to the source, a
gas leak might be responsible for the fire outbreak while there was another
report that the fire might have emanated from an electric spark inside the
building.
The Eze and his wife and
other palace workers were said to have left the building unhurt when the inferno
began.
Hundreds of sympathizers gathered
at the entrance of the palace as they assisted men of Imo State Fire Service to
put out the fire which lasted till about 12.30 pm. The palace was also heavily guarded by men of
the Nigeria Police Force and the Army who were on red alert to avert looting of
the palace.
Efforts to speak to Eze
Njemanze were futile at press time. Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha
consoled Eze Njemanze on the unfortunate incident.
Also commiserating with Eze
Njemanze, the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Sam Ohiri,
urge Eze Njemanze to bear the loss, assuring him of the Councils’ support and
persuasion to ensure that the State Governor fulfils the promise.
Ohiri who spoke through his
Chief Press Secretary, Evarest Ezihe, described the incident as a sad one,
urging him not to be despaired. He
thanked God that no live was lost in the unfortunate incident, assuring him of
the Council’s support in this trying period.
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