FIRE GUTS N1.5 BN WORTH OF GOODS AT ABAKALIKI INTERNATONAL MARKET

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

A warehouse stocked with assorted goods valued at N1.5 billion has been gutted by fire at Abakaliki International Market in Ebonyi State.

The fire, which began in the wee hours of Wednesday, was said to have emanated from inside the warehouse.

As at the time Radio Nigeria arrived at the scene of the incident, the men of the Federal and the Ebonyi State Fire Services were still battling to put out the fire as plumes of smoke covered the entire scene.

The owner of the warehouse, Chief Joseph Okonkwo, said he was alerted about 4am that fire had engulfed the entire warehouse, noting that eighteen shops which belonged to him were raised.

He blamed the incident on the handiwork of arsonists and appealed to the Ebonyi State Government and public spirited individuals to come to his aid.

Another victim, Mr. Lawrence Ezeamalu, who deals in oil and polythene bags, said he lost goods worth over a million Naira as heat of the inferno from the warehouse melted his stock.

The Chairman of International Market Lot One, Chief Peter Oba, had while giving insight into the cause of the incident, observed that the fire would have spread to other warehouses if not for the intervention of the men of fire service.

The Head of Operations Federal Fire Service, Mr. Ota Ibiam, said his team was not alerted on time as the fire had substantially destroyed the warehouse before they arrived.

Mr. Ibiam also called on the Ebonyi State Government to provide hydrant at the International market to enable men of fire service to refill their engines in the event of fire incident.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU