Hundreds of shops containing properties worth hundreds of millions were in the early hours of Thursday burnt down at the Timber Market, Marine Base, Port Harcourt.
This is the second fire to engulf business premises in the city within a week.
Traders said the midnight fire began from the casket section of market before getting to other sections.
They said that despite appeals, firefighters failed to respond in putting off the fire.
The fire which began at about 12:30 am burnt down the entire structure of the market.
Details later..
