Millions Lost as Fire Destroys Goods in Rivers Market

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Goods and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed following a fire outbreak which destroyed goods and properties at the popular ‘Rumuomasi Morning Market’ in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday night.

Our correspondent, who visited the scene of the fire on Tuesday night, reports that scores of traders were seen crestfallen while some cried openly as they watched their goods going up in flames helplessly.

Some of those affected said the fire started between 7:30pm and 8pm on Tuesday, following a spark, after power was restored.

Federal and Rivers State firefighters, as well as those from oil firms who were handy, battle the fire but had difficulty in accessing the main point of the inferno, though they eventually put it out.

Also, policemen kept vigil at the scene of the fire to ensure that miscreants don’t take advantage to loot goods and other items.

One of the affected traders and a former Chairman of the Rumuomasi Morning Market, Mr Anthony Chikere, who spoke to our correspondent on Wednesday afternoon, said he was at home when he received several telephone calls to inform him about the incident

Chikere, who markets wholesale materials, including laces, said he lost goods of over N100 million to the fire and appealed to the state government to assist the victims.

He stated, “We closed yesterday and left here (market)some minutes after 6pm to 7pm. Not up to an hour after we got home, we were called that there was a fire outbreak.

“So, before we got here, the fire had destroyed many places. They said it happened when power was restored. My shop and that of a lady selling Weavon were the major victims on this line because we list everything.

“I sell big Laces, Damat, Senator materials, Satin. There is no type of bale material you won’t find here. We even have machines for urgent sewing.”

On the estimate of what he lost, he said, “If I didn’t lose anything, I have lost N180 million in this shop because even though we have not opened three bales we brought in within the week. They all got burned.

“We are calling on the Government to come and assist us because things are so rough now. Maybe the government can help us financially and otherwise. We will appreciate it.”

Another victim, a widow and mother of four, who trades in foodstuffs, Nkiru Olisemeka,
wondered how she would cater for her children who are in the university.

I trade in foodstuffs, rice, beans, oil, tomatoes, anything foodstuffs, she said in an emotion-laden voice, even as she corroborated the first speaker that she was at home when several calls trickled in.

“So I called my first daughter to ask what was all happening. She said nothing that I should calm down. I live along Stadium Road, so getting to the market, the fire was too much.

“Even before my children got there, they said the fire was much and that all the goods had burned into ashes. I’m a widow with four children at the university. Next month will be two years since I lost my husband. This is what I used to survive and spare them. All my goods, rice, everything was burnt down”, she said tearfully,”

She put the value of what she lost at about N50 million, including cash.

“I was supposed to pay somebody N500, 000 but the person did not meet up before I closed and left. So I said that when I come today (Wednesday), I will give the man the N500,000. Now what do I do?” she said rhetorically.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Orange-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying the investigation is ongoing.

“Investigation is ongoing to ascertain what really happened. I can tell you that the Divisional Police Officer and his men were on the ground yesterday and the fire was put out,” Orange-Koko.

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