Fire Ravages Mukete Estate

By Olive Ejang Tebug Ngoh

A fire, December 25, 2008, ravaged the head office of the Mukete Estate Plantation in Mbonge Road, Kumba. The fire that went off in one of the offices around 11 pm, is said to have been  started from a spark from electricity cables.

People feasting in bars nearby reportedly abandoned their drinks at the blast of burning flames and quickly rushed to put off the  fire. Over one hundred people prevented the fire from attacking a cocoa store and other nearby houses. The fire fighters joined the Mukete family to rescue a few documents and some barrels of oil, though the fire had engulfed to the entire office.

The Estate Manager, Mbe Mukete, estimated the loss at over FCFA 25 million. The Post learnt that former Kumba MP, Hon Abel Mukete, lost many documents to the fire since one of the rooms was his parliamentary office.

2 Die In Banga-Bakundu Accidents

Two people died between December 27and 31, 2008 in accidents that occurred in Banga-Bakundu. The first accident occurred on December 27 when a “clando” driver plying the Kumba-Muyuka  road collided with another vehicle on Long Street at around 5:30 am. A University of Buea student, whose only names we got as Elvis, died in the accident.

Meanwhile, the “clando” vehicle burnt to ashes. Then, on December 29, Pauline Efila, was electrocuted by high tension cables after being involved in an accident some 20 meters to the Apostolic Hospital.According to eyewitness, Efila’s car, heading towards Muyuka, collided with another one from Buea.

As rescuers rushed the victims to the hospital, Efila reportedly stood under an 
electricity pole waiting for a vehicle to convey her to Buea. Reports say the electricity 
pole crashed on her and the high tension cables electrocuted her to death. Nobody was around  to rescue her.

Two other accidents occurred in Banga Bakundu town on December 30 and 31 leaving several victims with serious injuries.