Bolorunduro, the headquarters of Ondo East Local Government area of Ondo state was thrown into a state of confusion and tension as an overnight fire incident destroyed the administrative block of the local government secretariat.
The incident which has left many people searching for answers to the question of what could be responsible for the fire outbreak has cast a dark shadow over the secretariat and it host community.
According to information gathered by Climax News Hub from people who are familiar with the council, the fire incident seems suspicious as the secretariat have been disconnected from power supply for the last ten years and have stopped using generator for more than three months.
The inferno destroyed offices belonging to top officials of the council like the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Head of Local Government Administration, Director of Finance and Supplies and other offices at the top floor of the administrative building.
Reacting to the incident, the local government chairman, Mr. Akinkuotu Olawale said he suspected that the incident may be the handwork of some criminals as the issue of electricity spark causing the inferno is totally impossible.
He said “From what I have seen here, some people came to set this place on fire. There is no electricity here and we have not been using generator. Some people came to set this place on fire.
“At about 6:30 this morning, I was informed of the incident. We mobilized the police and fire fighters to the secretariat to stop the fire and provide security. They have done their best but 70% of the building has been razed. This is sad and I pray that the perpetrators will not go unpunished. We want a thorough investigation to be conducted.”
The head of security officers in the local government council, Mr. Oyekusibe Abayomi described the incident as a shock to him and other officials as they are struggling to identify what could have started the fire.
“I was not on duty when the incident happened. I was informed this morning by the officer who came to open the office that there was a fire incident at the office and I came here immediately. I don’t know the cause of the fire. I was at home when it happened.”
