A fierce fire consumed the Ancient Porte Laquintinie in Douala in the early hours of Monday, November 20, leaving significant material damage.
Reports indicate that the fire erupted while the residents of the neighbourhood were still asleep.
It left a trail of destruction on the third floor of the Ancient Porte Laquintinie. The affected building housed medical equipment and other valuables worth millions of FCFA, leading to a substantial loss.
Samuel Eyoum, the son of the landlord of the affected property, shared his account of the incident.
“I was informed at about 8 a.m. in the morning. I was already at my job site when I learned that the building had gone up in flames. My father was the only person living here,” he recounted.
Fortunately, Samuel’s father was rescued with the help of friends who intervened in the critical moment. “He got out safe but everything went up in flames,” Samuel added.
Shop owners on the first floor of the building, fearing the unknown, swiftly evacuated their goods during the incident.
Equinoxe TV interviewed the landlord, Dr. Eyoum, who narrated the chaotic scene, saying, “I was sleeping when I heard people screaming fire, fire. That is how I got up from my sleep. I don’t know exactly what happened.”
Despite the intensity of the blaze, prompt intervention by firefighters and the collaborative efforts of the local population managed to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby structures.
This coordinated response played a crucial role in mitigating potential further damage.
The Ancient Porte Laquintinie, a three-floor building located in the Douala I Municipality, situated a few kilometres from the Douala International Airport, now stands as a charred reminder of the destructive force of the fire
The exact cause of the outbreak remains unknown as investigations are underway.
While the incident resulted in colossal material losses, the silver lining lies in the fact that no loss of life was recorded.
The community’s resilience, coupled with the swift action of emergency responders, prevented what could have been an even greater tragedy.
As the affected parties grapple with the aftermath, the focus turns to recovery and rebuilding in the wake of this unfortunate event.
