No fewer than 15 shops housing furniture and household items were razed down during a fire outbreak at the popular timber market in Mile 4, Rumueme, Obia-Akpor local government area of Rivers state.
Goods worth millions of naira were lost to an inferno on Monday, as shop owners scampered around to quench the raging fire.
The cause of the fire was not known as at the time of filing this report as different vendors narrated different versions of what could have led to the fire.
A trader claimed the fire started from the shop of a foam vendor, who called in the services of a welder. According to him, sparks of light from the welding machine ignited a fire that spread and burnt the other shops.
TPCN learnt that efforts to reach the Rivers State Fire Service Command failed as calls put across to the Command’s emergency lines were neither answered nor returned.
Speaking on the incident, the Chairman of the Upholstery Union at the market, Kalu Ukoha, described the fire incident as unfortunate while calling for more firefighting training, which he said would help curtail fire outbreaks in the future.
Also, the Chairman of Obio-Akpor local government Council, George Ariolu, who visited the scene of the incident, advised shops owners and vendors to be mindful of the way they handle flammable substances as he urged them to always install firefighting equipment at home and in their business areas.
Grieving traders were seen calling on government and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid as they narrated that the business was their only means of livelihood.
The staff of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) were also seen evacuating poles and wires affected by the fire.
Although no lives were lost, various degrees of injuries were sustained by individuals trying to salvage the situation.
