A devastating fire razed a building on 57 Azikiwe Street, Mile 2 Diobu, in the early hours of Friday, August 15, 2025, rendering residents homeless and destroying property worth millions of naira.

The fire, which started around 3 am, caught many tenants off guard while they were asleep.

Mr. Wisdom Jack, a shop owner who deals in ice block machines, estimated his losses to be over N10 million. “Both the ice block machines and the ones companies gave me to mould were all affected. I don’t have anybody to run to,” he lamented.

Another shop owner, Mr. Chigozie, also suffered significant losses, including two buttonhole machines, two weaving machines, and three industrial machines, as well as over one million naira in cash.
“I had two buttonhole machines, two weaving machines, three industrial machines, and cash of over one million, all kept in my shop. I lost all. But I know my God will make a way for me,” he said, expressing his faith amidst the adversity.

The Rivers State Fire Service deployed five firefighting trucks to combat the blaze, which was eventually brought under control.

The fire was spreading to a nearby liquor warehouse, but prompt action by the fire service prevented further damage. However, the warehouse still lost over fifty crates of beer to the fire.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Azikiwe Police Division and his personnel were on the scene to maintain order and prevent hoodlums from looting property salvaged from the apartments.

As of the time of filing the report, the cause of the inferno was yet to be ascertained. However, the damage was extensive, with about seven large shops and eight rooms destroyed. The full extent of the losses is still being assessed.

While there have been no reports of casualties, the affected residents are in dire need of support and assistance to rebuild their lives.