A fire destroyed around 10 stores on Sunday morning at the Ekpoma Main Market in Edo State, costing traders millions of naira.
Speaking under the condition of anonymity, one of the dealers claimed that if it weren’t for the efforts of nearby residents who came out to put out the fire, the loss might have been higher. She claimed that a wire in one of the stores caught fire when electricity was restored.
She said, “The fire started at about 10.45 am when a wire sparked after electricity was restored. More traders were saved from incurring huge financial losses as neighbours trooped out to put out the fire.
“As a trader in the market, I commend the efforts of neighbours who came out to put out the fire. The loss could have been more. However, 10 shops with goods worth millions were lost because most of the traders just bought them to sell during the festive period.”
Prof. Jude Obasanmi, a lecturer at Ambrose Ali University, expressed disappointment that the fire service was absent and questioned why Benin city was the only location where it was active.
Giving his account of the events, Obasanmi claimed that a woman in the market who had come to do some business had set some trash on fire before leaving, causing the fire to spread to the stores and destroy them.
He said, “A lady came to her shop around Aburime Street to make some sales. After some sales, she gathered some refuse and started burning them. She did not wait to see the end but left and the fire spread to other areas.”
Numerous attempts to contact the police were unsuccessful as the line was switched off.
However, it was discovered that the state only has one fire truck, which is located on Ring Road in Benin.
