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Already, most of the victims are counting their losses while a few struggled to salvage what they could lay their hands on.
It was reported that the fire started between 7:30 pm and 8 pm on Tuesday following a spark immediately after power was restored. Some traders who were affected were seen crestfallen while some cried openly as they watched their goods go up in flames helplessly.
Federal and Rivers State firefighters as well as those from oil firms who were handy did great to battle the fire but had difficulty in accessing the main point of the inferno, though they later put it out eventually.
Also, policemen kept vigil at the scene of the fire to ensure that miscreants didn’t take advantage to loot goods and other items.
One of the affected traders and former Chairman of the Rumuomasi Morning Market, Mr Anthony Chikere, said he was at home when he received several telephone calls about the incident.
Chikere, who deals in wholesale materials, including laces, said he lost goods of over N100m to the fire and appealed to the state government to assist the victims.
He stated, “We closed yesterday (Tuesday) and left here (the market) some minutes past 6 pm to 7 pm. Not up to an hour after we got home, we were called that there was a fire incident.
“So, before we got here, the fire had destroyed many places. They said it happened when power was restored. My shop and those of a lady selling weavon were the major victims on this line because we lost everything.
“I sell big laces, Damat, Senator materials, satin materials. There is no type of bale material you won’t find here. We even have machines for urgent sewings.”
On the estimate of what he lost, he said, “If I didn’t lose anything, I have lost N180m in this shop because we have not even opened three bales we brought in within the week. They all got burnt.
“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.’
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Grange-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying an investigation was ongoing.
“An investigation is ongoing to ascertain what happened. I can tell you that the Divisional Police Officer and his men were on the ground yesterday and the fire was put out.”
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