A potential fire disaster was averted on Tuesday at the Senate wing of Nigeria’s National Assembly after lawmakers swiftly intervened to contain a fire outbreak in Hearing Room 107.
The incident occurred shortly after the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) concluded the screening of Dr. Zainab Marwa, the nominee representing the North-East on the commission’s board.
The committee, chaired by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, had just wrapped up proceedings when smoke was suddenly noticed billowing from the kitchen section of the hearing room, creating brief panic among lawmakers and staff present.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that Senator Ekpenyong, alongside Senator Salihu Mustapha, acted immediately to control the situation before it could escalate into a larger blaze.
Preliminary reports indicated that the fire was triggered by a microwave oven that had been left switched on inside the kitchen compartment.
The quick response from the lawmakers and supporting staff ensured that the flames were extinguished promptly, preventing any significant damage to the facility or disruption of activities within the National Assembly complex.
No casualties or injuries were recorded during the incident, and normal legislative activities resumed shortly after the situation was brought under control.
