A fire outbreak at Oluku Market along the Benin-Auchi Expressway in Edo State has destroyed goods worth millions of naira after engulfing several shops on Tuesday morning, leaving traders counting their losses.
Key Highlights
- Fire razed more than 20 shops at Oluku Market, according to preliminary reports.
- Electronics, fabrics, foodstuffs and other goods were reportedly destroyed.
- The fire started at about 8:30 a.m. and spread to neighbouring shops.
- Firefighters, traders and youths battled the flames for more than an hour.
- No deaths were reported as of press time, while affected traders appealed for government assistance.
Fire Spreads Across Shops at Oluku Market
The Oluku Market fire outbreak occurred at about 8:30 a.m., causing panic among traders and customers as the flames spread through a section of the market.
Eyewitnesses said the fire reportedly started in a shop dealing in electrical appliances and fabrics before spreading to nearby stalls. The combustible materials stored in the shops were believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
Traders and bystanders made frantic efforts to salvage their belongings, but many were unable to rescue their goods before the fire engulfed their shops.
“We just heard people shouting ‘fire, fire’. Before we knew it, the whole place was in smoke. People were running with their wares,” a trader who sells provisions said.
Edo Fire Service Battles Blaze
Personnel of the Edo State Fire Service, supported by traders and youths in the area, battled the fire for more than an hour before bringing it under control.
Preliminary reports indicated that more than 20 shops were affected, with electronics, clothing materials, foodstuffs and other merchandise destroyed.
The exact cause of the fire had yet to be established as of press time. Market leaders speculated that an electrical fault or the careless handling of cooking gas might have triggered the incident.
However, the cause remains unconfirmed pending an official investigation.
No deaths were reported as of press time.
Read also:
- Auchi Inferno: Edo Govt assures victims of support, begins assessment for preventive measures
- Petroleum Tanker Fire Destroys Shops, Goods Worth Millions In Cross River
- Inferno ravages Igbudu Market in Warri, destroys goods worth millions
Traders Appeal for Government Assistance
The fire has left many traders distressed, with some saying they lost their entire business capital in the incident.
“This is how I feed my children. Everything is gone. Government should please help us,” a female trader lamented.
Other affected traders appealed to the Edo State Government and well-meaning Nigerians to provide assistance to help them recover from their losses.
They also called on market authorities to provide fire extinguishers, improve fire safety measures and organise awareness programmes to educate traders on preventing and responding to fire outbreaks.
Market Leaders Plan Damage Assessment
Officials of the Oluku Market Association said they would meet with the state government to assess the extent of the damage and seek relief for affected traders.
The Edo State Fire Service has advised market users to switch off electrical appliances after use and avoid storing flammable materials in shops to reduce the risk of future fire outbreaks.
Normal activities have partially resumed in unaffected sections of Oluku Market, while security personnel remain on the ground to prevent looting and maintain order.
The extent of the financial losses and the official cause of the fire are yet to be confirmed.
For more breaking news from Edo State, follow us on X.
