A sudden fire wreaked havoc at the Water Board IDP Camp in Monguno, Borno State, destroying more than 100 thatched houses and leaving many displaced.
The Borno State Police confirmed the devastating incident, highlighting the vulnerability of the camp’s temporary shelters.
How the Fire Unfolded
ASP Nahum Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the blaze started around 4:30 pm on Friday.
The camp chairman, Bukar Mbati, quickly reported the fire to the Monguno Police Station.
“The inferno engulfed over 100 thatched houses, destroying food supplies and numerous household items,” Daso explained.
The flames spread quickly through the camp, prompting urgent intervention.
Emergency Response Efforts
Thanks to the swift response of the State Fire Service, the police, and other security agencies stationed at the camp, the fire was eventually brought under control.
A patrol team led by the Divisional Police Officer, Supol Monguno, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the damage.
“Thankfully, no lives were lost, and no injuries were recorded,” the PPRO added.
While photographs have documented the destruction, officials are still evaluating the full extent of property loss.
Investigations have also begun to determine what caused the fire.
A Recurring Tragedy for Displaced Families
This incident mirrors a similar tragedy that happened just days earlier in Ngamma village, Yobe State.
There, a fire destroyed 76 temporary shelters housing internally displaced persons from Borno State.
The blaze, which spread rapidly in the afternoon, left one person injured and several families homeless, destroying livestock, food, and other essentials.
The repeated fires highlight the precarious living conditions faced by displaced families in northeastern Nigeria, raising urgent questions about fire safety and emergency preparedness in IDP camps.
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