A potential fire disaster was averted on Tuesday at the Senate wing of the National Assembly after a swift intervention by lawmakers and staff contained a fire outbreak before it could spread.
The incident occurred in the kitchen section of Hearing Room 107 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 concluded the exercise when smoke was noticed billowing from the kitchen area, causing brief panic among lawmakers and staff present.
Eyewitnesses said Senator Ekpenyong, alongside Senator Salihu Mustapha, quickly intervened to contain the situation, preventing the fire from escalating into a major incident.
Preliminary findings indicated that the fire was triggered by a microwave oven that had been left switched on in the kitchen compartment.
The prompt response ensured that the flames were extinguished before causing significant damage to the facility or disrupting activities within the National Assembly complex.
No casualties or injuries were reported, and normal proceedings resumed shortly after the incident was brought under control.
