Fire outbreak guts property worth millions in Delta Community

A fire outbreak which occurred at Alegbetere Street, off Igbudu Market, Warri has destroyed property worth millions of Naira, Peb News has learnt.

It was learnt that the fire which began at about 10:30 pm on Sunday night, 2nd June 2024, was triggered by power surge in the building which sent residents into panic.

A resident, who preferred anonymity said, they ( neighbours) struggled to  put out the fire at about 10:50 pm after the fire had caused substantial damage and losses. It was learnt that the building in question was  used as a parking shop for second-hand clothing materials porpularly called "Okrika" bales.

Giving account of the fire incident, the  landlady of the building, Mrs Esther Alex Ike told Peb News that   power(electric) surge caused the inferno and the people around the area helped to put out the fire before the fire service men arrived. 

According to her, instead of fire service men to join them to put out  the fire to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building,  they  demanded from her the sum of  30,000 Naira in the face of the burning fire before they could start work but she told them she couldn't  pay, adding that, this made the fire to gain ground a casualty was  recorded.

In her words" The high electric current sparked  fire at 10:30 pm  and  this caused the fire. This fire has led to huge loss and damage of second hand clothing materials(Okrika bales) worth 10 million Naira. Apart from the main building, other houses adjacent to  the affected building  were  touched by the inferno. Then, of course, the  security man attached to the building was also affected by fire and he was rushed to the central hospital and at present, receiving   treatment.

Mrs Esther therefore appealed to well meaning Nigerians, organizations and philanthropists to come to her aid. She said: " I need help. make them help me. Na beg I dey beg".