By IJENDU IHEAKA

The Aba Fire Service Commander, Mr Belenta Belenta, has said that the source of the fire that razed heaps of beer crates at the Nigerian Breweries Plc, Aba Depot, has yet to be ascertained.

Belenta confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba on Friday that fire broke out at the depot on Thursday evening, leaving stacks of beer crates completely burnt.

He commended the Federal Fire Service, Oris Group Fire Unit and Valumbra Flour Mills Fire Unit for their assistance that helped to bring the fire under control.

He said that the brewery staff appeared confused as to how the beer crates caught fire, when they were packed in an open field on the company’s premises and not close to any power source.

Belenta said that the fire raged for hours, causing panic around the company’s neighborhood.

He, however, expressed joy that there were no casualties.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the company’s official reaction over the development had remained unsuccessful.

A management staff told NAN on the condition of anonymity that the company would issue a statement on the incident. (NAN)