Fire razes Ogbeogonogo Market in Asaba

*Okowa visits, commiserates with victims

The popular Ogbeogonogo Market in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta state was, Tuesday, engulfed by fire which destroyed goods worth millions of naira.

Over 20 shops at the old market were consumed in the early morning inferno which lasted for over five hours before the arrival of the state’s fire fighters.

Many traders counted their losses as the fire which started around 8 am on Tuesday razed shops and goods along the Nnebisi Road, while no life was lost.

It was gathered that the first fire service truck that came to the scene ran out of water while the fire was still raging, wreaking havoc and destruction.

As at 9:26am, the fourth fire service truck arrived while Good Samaritans fetched water from surrounding drainages in efforts to assist put out the fire.

As at press time, the cause of the fire was still sketchy, but sources within the market said it was not unconnected to electrical surge.

The closeness of shops was said to have made it impossible for fire fighters to gain access into the market to enable them battle the fire.

A widow, simply identified as Mrs. Glory, whose shop was affected, said: “I was still at home preparing for market when they called me that fire has burnt down my shop.

“I quickly rushed to Ogbeogonogo and saw my shop burnt down. All the clothes, my three industrial sewing machines, two generating sets and others were totally burnt.

“I am tired of life. I am a widow with two children, where do you want me to start from?”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said the police and personnel of the state fire service have been able to calm the situation.

“Thank God no life was lost, the police and fire service personnel were able to ensure the fire did not escalate to the new site. For now, we are yet to ascertain the possible cause of the fire,” he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has commiserated with victims of the fire that gutted a section of the popular Ogbeogonogo Market in Asaba on Tuesday.

The governor, who visited the market to inspect the extent of damage by the inferno, assured that the state government would assist the traders affected to get back on their feet.

He told newsmen that the cause of the fire was still being investigated and assured that the government would liaise with the Oshimili South Local Government Council to rebuild the market.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu and his counterpart in -charge of Bureau for Special Duties, Mr. Mofe Pirah, had described the incident as unfortunate.

The duo commiserated with the affected traders over the loss of their shops and means of livelihood.

They disclosed that the state government was going to take a comprehensive assessment of the situation to enable it come up with measures to ameliorate the plight of those directly affected.

Sympathisers at the scene of the fire urged the government to reconstruct the affected section of the market.