NewsNigeriaBreaking news: Fire razes over 200 shops at Abakaliki Kpirikpiri market

Fire on Sunday, razed about 200 shops in Ofoke Market popularly known as Kpirikpiri market, Abakaliki, in Ebonyi state.

Kpirikpiri market is the second largest market in Abakaliki.  The fire incident which started by 2pm destroyed properties worth millions of Naira. The cause of the fire was said to be by bush burning but traders whose shops were affected were crying uncontrollably.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Border Peace, Mr. Stanley Okoro Emegha and the Special Assistant (SA) to the Governor on Internal Security (South) Mr. Chika Nwangel who were at the scene of the fire described it as a disaster. Mr. Emegha explained that fire service station in the state was informed of the fire so late that before they could come,it was too late to stop the fire.

Emegha said that their suspicion was that some people set bush around the market on fire left it or lost control of the fire hence it spread to the market. He said it took swift intervention of Neighbourhood Watch, an internal security outfit and youths in the area to help stop the fire from razing down the whole market.

The Commissioner noted that the nature of buildings in the market did not help matters, noted that the state government would no doubt come up with measures to cushion the effect of the loss on the victims. On his part, Nwangele said he had to forcefully leave his church service to mobilise the Neighbourhood Watch members, youths who aided in

quenching of the fire.

He said the quick response of the Commissioner, Emegha also helped in mobilisation of more youths as they had to resort to use of detergents to fight the fire. He added that they had to ensure that thieves did not take advantage of the confusion to steal the secured goods. A victim ,Mr. John Nwoke  said that all his goods were lost to the inferno. He said further that he just bought new stocks three days ago, most of them on credit.

On her part, Mrs. Ofoke Julian, another victim said it was the end of the road for her and her family, recalling that she buried her husband last year. She appealed to the state, federal government and other agencies to help them out of the situation as the little goods secured were carted away by hoodlums.+