Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Fire Service has confirmed the rescue of six persons alive after a section of a building collapsed at the Whitefield Rice Mills Processing Company in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, an incident that could have resulted in multiple fatalities but was averted through the swift response of emergency personnel. The State Controller of the Federal Fire Service in Kano, Mr Kazeem Sholadaye, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Al-Hassan Kanti, detailing how firefighters and rescue teams worked through the evening to extract trapped victims from the rubble. The collapse, which occurred on Monday evening, July 13, 2026, has been attributed to excessive loading of stored items within the affected section of the facility.
According to the statement, the Federal Fire Service received a distress call from one Mr Johnson at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Monday, prompting the immediate deployment of firefighters and rescue personnel from the Danzaki Fire Station. Upon arrival at the scene, rescue teams found a section of the milling facility completely collapsed, with unstable concrete and heavy debris obstructing access to those trapped beneath. The operation involved the use of shovels, grinding machines, and other specialized equipment to remove debris and create safe access routes for the trapped victims. Through what authorities described as professionalism, dedication, and coordinated efforts, all six individuals were successfully rescued alive from the collapsed structure.
Preliminary investigations by structural safety investigators revealed that the collapse was caused by the excessive loading of heavy raw materials and stored inventory on the upper holding decks of the facility. The structural failure was confined to Milling Unit 1 of the rice processing company, preventing the collapse from spreading to adjacent processing units and averting what could have been a far more catastrophic incident. The Fire Service confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident, a outcome that officials attributed to the prompt response of emergency personnel and the effectiveness of the rescue operation. The swift deployment of FFS personnel not only saved lives but also protected nearby industrial machinery and inventory, with responders estimating that ₦15 million worth of property was successfully salvaged while approximately ₦10 million worth of building infrastructure and materials was lost.
Following the rescue operation, firefighters conducted a thorough inspection of the scene to ensure there were no further risks before handing over the site to the appropriate authorities. The Kano State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, Engr. Kazeem Sholadoye Oyefola, commended the rescue personnel for their swift response and professionalism in ensuring the successful rescue of all trapped victims without any loss of life. The Service also used the opportunity to urge residents, property owners, and developers to ensure that buildings are structurally sound, avoid excessive loading on structures, and promptly report signs of structural distress to the relevant authorities. Sholadaye emphasised the need for regular structural inspections and strict adherence to building safety standards to prevent building collapse and safeguard lives and property.
The incident at Whitefield Rice Mills Processing Company highlights the persistent risks associated with structural overloading in industrial facilities across Nigeria, where inadequate storage practices and insufficient safety inspections have contributed to a pattern of avoidable building failures. The prompt response of the Federal Fire Service and the successful rescue of all six victims stand as a testament to the importance of well-equipped emergency services and the value of rapid coordination between responders and the public. However, the collapse also serves as a warning to facility managers and property owners about the dangers of exceeding structural load limits, particularly in storage areas where heavy materials are routinely stacked without proper assessment of the building's carrying capacity. As the rainy season progresses and the risk of structural weakening from moisture and flooding increases, authorities have reiterated the need for proactive safety measures and regular inspections to prevent further incidents.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments