JUST IN: Goods Worth Millions Lost As Fire Raze Oba market in Benin

The popular Oba Market in Benin City, the Edo State capital, has been razed. The fire, which burnt almost all the massive market, according to witnesses, started around 12:05 am and raged till 6am before it was put out by a team of fire fighters.

It was learnt there was no public electricity supply when the fire started, thereby ruling out the possibility of electrical spark while the actual cause of the fire had not been ascertained.

Many of the traders were crying uncontrollably over the loss of their valuable goods, estimated to be hundreds of millions.

The ever-busy dualised road in front of the burnt market, near Ring Road, was cordoned off by policemen with traffic diverted to adjoining roads and streets.

The Assistant Controller, Federal Fire Servce in Asaba, Delta state, Samson Karibo, who was in Benin with his men, on special assignment, greatly assisted to put out the fire.

Karibo disclosed that the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Obaseki called to inform him, shortly after the fire started, thereby making him to quickly move to the scene with his men.

Karibo assured the inferno would be thorough investigated to know the cause to prevent similar incident in the future.

Nigerians of recent have continued to raise alarm over endless market infernos. not long ago, residents of Lagos were once again greeted with another round of fire disasters in the early hours of Thursday, February 13.

At the popular Mile 12 Market in Lagos, one of Nigeria’s most famous markets, three shops were razed in a fire that broke out in the early hours of that fateful Thursday. Expectedly, the fire consumed goods and property.

If not for the prompt intervention of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Fire Service, the inferno would have perhaps wreaked more havoc. The affected part of the market was the area designated for sellers of rice and frozen items.