Tragedy struck at the popular Uselu Market
on Ugbowo Road, in the Egor Local
Government Area of Edo State, following a
fire outbreak which gutted a section of the
market.
It was gathered that the fire, which
occurred at about 8.30pm on Monday,
razed over 50 shops on Osamwonyi Street,
although no life was reported lost.
When our correspondent got to the scene
of the incident on Tuesday, a thick smoke
billowed from the charred remains of burnt
goods.
While some of the affected traders
struggled to salvage what was left of their
wares, many others were seen bemoaning
the damage done to goods reportedly
worth millions of naira.
One of the traders, Mr. Chidera Nwakeze,
explained that he recently stocked four
shops with bags of rice, beans and other
food items, but lost everything to the
inferno.
Nwakeze said, "I came to the market around
8.30pm and discovered that it was on fire.
But before I could get to my shops, the fire
had consumed all my goods."
Another victim, who declined mentioning
her name, alleged conspiracy against the
affected traders.
"I don't think that the fire was caused by
any electrical fault because the section
which got burnt has been out of electricity
supply. Someone must have set fire on this
area of the market," she said.
It was gathered that but for the
intervention of the Edo State Fire Service,
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps
and some soldiers in the area, the inferno
would have razed the entire market.
An official of the Edo State Fire Service,
who identified himself as Fireman Ero, told
our correspondent to write officially to the
service, if he wanted any information on the
incident.
"You say you are a journalist? You have to
write officially if you want to get any
information," he said.
But the council Chairman, Mr. Victor
Enobakhare, described the incident as an
act of sabotage by persons who were
against the reconstruction of the market.
While urging the victims to remain calm, he
announced a donation of N1m to cushion
the effect of the damage. He also promised
to notify the state government for further
action.
"I want to say that it was an act of
sabotage. The area involved doesn't have
electricity because they don't sell at night.
They close as early as 7pm.
"I think some persons did this probably to
discourage the council from going ahead to
rebuild the market. We must build the
market.
"I am giving them N1m immediately. Let
them share it among themselves to ease
their minds, so that they can settle down
and give me the list of affected persons. I
will forward the list to the governor.
"I know he will show a lot of sympathy.
The spokesperson for the Edo State Police
Command, DSP Joseph Edoigiawerie, who
was contacted on the issue, told our
correspondent to call back so that he could
get details of the fire outbreak.
0 comments: