The popular Rumuomasi Morning Market in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State has been destroyed by a fire incident on Tuesday night.
Some victims of the incident said the fire, which consumed goods and properties worth millions, started around 7:30pm following a spark immediately power was restored in the area.
Federal and Rivers State fire Fighters and others from oil firms were said to have put out the fire after surmounting some challenges.
The police in the state also deployed officials to guard the stores and stop miscreants from looting traders’ goods.
A victim, Mr Anthony Chikere, said he was at home when he received many telephone calls informing him about the incident
Chikere, a wholesaler of lace materials, said he lost goods worth over N100million to the fire and appealed to the State Government to assist the victims.
He said: ” We closed yesterday and left here (market)some minutes after 6pm to 7pm. Not up to an hour after we got home, we were called that there was a fire outbreak.
“So before we got here, the fire has destroyed many places. They said it happened when power was restored. My shop and that of a lady selling Weavon were the major victims on this line because we list everything.
“I sell big Laces, Damat, Senator materials, Satin. There is no type of bale material your won’t find here. We even have machines for urgent sewings.
” We are calling on the Government to come and assist us because things are so rough now. Maybe the government can help us financially and otherwise. We will appreciate it”‘
A widow and mother of four, Mrs Nkiru Olisemeka, cried bitterly saying she lost all her source of income wondering how she would train her children.
She said: “I trade on foodstuff rice, beans, oil, tomatoes, anything foodstuffs, she said in an emotion laden voice., even as she corroborated the first speaker that she was at home when many people called her over the incident.
“Even before my children got there, they said the fire was much and that all the goods have burned into ashes. I’m a widow with four children in the University. Next month will be two years that I lost my husband.
“This is what I used to survive and spo sor them. All my goods, rice everything was burnt down”, she said tearfully.”
