Men of the Anambra state fire service were on Saturday night attacked by angry mob following fire outbreak along new Motor spare Parts Nkpor, near Onitsha.
It was gathered that the incident occurred when a truck conveying mattresses touched an electric cable within the area.
The overloaded truck reportedly caught fire after it hooked on a naked wire disconnected from an electric pole.
The attackers, who accused the fire fighters of late arrival, , were said to have thrown stones on them.
The Chief firefighter, Engr. Martin Agbili, expressed disappointment over the action.
He said people should know that firefighters were also humans and not the cause of fire outbreaks.
Agbili said the fire trucks of the agency were damaged in the process, while his men managed to escape.
He said: “At about 9.46pm, Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call of Fire outbreak along new Motor spare Parts Nkpor.
“Immediately, we deployed our fire trucks and firefighters to the fire scene.
“It was a truck overloaded with mattresses that gutted fire by which ignited fire when the overloaded mattresses hooked on a naked wire that was disconnected from an electric pole along new motor spare parts, Nkpor.
“As the first fire truck got to the fire scene, some uninformed persons started throwing stones on fire truck and firefighters.
*At the process, they damaged our Fire trucks and firefighters escaped. Just look at what they did to our fire truck and will later expect firefighters to respond to fire outbreaks.
Also reacting, the police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed described the mob action as unfortunate and condemnable.
Mohammed, in a statement, said the truck carrying the mattress was gutted by fire together with a nearby shop before the fire was put off.
He however said no life was lost nor injury recorded in the incident.
He said, “Firefighters were attacked by a mob who smashed the truck’s windscreen with stones before Police rescued and escorted the truck to safety.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that cause of fire was as a result of overload of a truck conveying mattresses that touched a PHCN cable and ignited fire while the truck driver escaped.
“Police patrol teams attached to Ogidi Division immediately rushed to the scene and cordoned off the Area.
“Meanwhile, the behaviours of some misguided elements who attacked fire fighters while trying to put off the fire was quite unfortunate and will not be condoned by the Command.
“Commissioner of Police, John Abang therefore urges parents and guardians to caution their children to refrain from indulging into such act or face the full wraths of the law when arrested.”