Traders are counting their losses at the popular Swali market after a midnight fire on Christmas night razed down a section of the market in Yenagoa, the state capital, Fresh Angle can report.
Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed by the fire when traders were on break for the Christmas celebration. About 130 shops of 13 blocks were gutted and destroyed by the inferno.
Chairman of the burnt section of the mini market, Mr. Agent Samuel who is also a victim, while speaking to journalist explained that the fire started at about 11:30 pm from the waterfront and spread to other parts of the market where it consumed the entire 130 shops. The traders could not rescue any of their goods.
There weren’t enough efforts to stall the fire from spreading as the Bayelsa State Fire Service arrived the scene without sufficient water to fight the fire.
Mr. Eze Osibe, also a victim whose two shops were completely leveled by the fire, pleaded with the state government to come to their aid as they have been rendered helpless. “The government should come and assist us. We are confused and do not know what to do now. How do we pay the fees of our children who are in school”, the traders lamented.
The traders called on the government to properly equip the state fire service to respond to emergencies of fire outbreak in the state.
As at press time, the source of the fire could not be ascertained just as there was no reported loss of life.
It will be recalled that in June 2012 incident of fire outbreak at a section of the ultramodern market was razed by fire destroying property worth million of naira.
The latest incident is the second time in 2012 when incident of fire outbreak has brought untold hardship to traders in the popular Swahi market.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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