Night fire ruins Ogbe-Ijoh Market in Warri
SOME police officers’ wives in Lagos are currently counting their losses following a fire outbreak that consumed shops and valuables at the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) market in Ikeja, Lagos. The fire, which began around 6.00p.m. on Sunday, razed a total of 33 shops and foodstuffs in the market right inside the Police barrack, behind Lagos State Police Command, GRA Ikeja.

When The Guardian visited yesterday morning, the remains were still smothering from the completely razed side of the market. An eyewitness said the fire was noticed at some minutes past six in the evening, with thick smoke bellowing from the lock-up shops.

“No one can explain what caused the fire but it was so rapid that all efforts to put it out was abortive. This is a market of foodstuffs like rice, garri, vegetables, palm oil, groundnut oil and others. The fire fighters came but only prevented the entire market from been razed,” the eyewitness said.

Spokesperson for the Nigeria Police, Lagos State command, Mrs. Dolapo Badmus, confirmed that no life was lost and that the force has deployed a detachment of policemen to safeguard the area.

It was gathered that the police authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with a promise to assist the affected traders. A shop owner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she lost everything in her shop valued at over half a million naira.

Meanwhile, merchandise worth several millions of naira were lost to a night fire that ravaged the popular Ogbe-Ijoh Market in Warri South-West Local Council, Delta State on Sunday. Fire fighters were yesterday still battling to put out the fire.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but some of the market women are suspecting dangerous electrical wirings in the market. Another source said the fire started from one of the stores where fuel and other petroleum products were stored.

Eight months ago, the same market was completely razed by a mysterious midnight fire. Many traders were unable to rescue their wares.

Thirty-four women, who lost their merchandise in that night fire in April 18, 2015, it would be recalled, were assisted by the state government and a microfinance firm to start their businesses again.

A trader at the market, who identified herself as Mrs. Beauty Odega, said it was high time government probed the perennial fire at Ogbe-Ijoh Market.