An early morning inferno yesterday destroyed 20 shops and goods valued at N10 million at the popular Ikare Junction, Owo in Ondo State.
Eyewitnesses said foodstuffs, motor parts and electronics were destroyed.
Sources said the fire, which started at 7am, was caused by power surge from one of the affected shops.
A trader, Frank Mbaga, said power supply in the area had been fluctuating for some days.
He said: “I think that was the cause of the incident. We informed officials of the Benin Electricity Development Company (BEDC) but they refused to show up.”
When The Nation visited the scene, hundreds of sympathisers were consoling the affected traders.
Another trader, Mrs. Rebecca Benson, said none of the victims could salvage any of their goods.
She said firemen did not respond to distress calls and urged the government to come to their aid.
Police spokesman Olufemi Joseph said he could not give details on what caused the fire.
“Our men, led by the DPO Owo, are on the scene and soon they will find out what caused the incident. But we should thank God that no life was lost,” he said.