In a devastating incident, a fierce fire erupted on Thursday morning in Benin City, Edo State, leading to the obliteration of goods valued at over N50 million within a commercial building. The calamity unfolded around 4 a.m. at a facility located on Second East Circular Road, opposite New Market in the state capital.
The affected building primarily housed shop owners engaged in the trade of used clothes and foodstuffs. A couple, Ndidi and Blessing, proprietors of two shops within the structure, expressed distress over the loss of goods amounting to N10 million, urging the government for assistance.
The fire is believed to have ignited from repeated electric sparks emanating from a wire connected to an electricity pole in front of one of the shops. The flames swiftly engulfed additional stalls, posing a serious threat to neighboring structures. The prompt response of firefighters from the Edo State Fire Service averted further escalation.
Madam Grace, another trader within the building, raised suspicions of foul play, alleging a deliberate act targeting her. She claimed losses exceeding N40 million and detailed her return to the shop at 2 a.m. after purchasing goods during a power outage. By 5 a.m., she received a distressing phone call informing her of the inferno.
Eyewitnesses suggested that, beyond Madam Grace and Ndidi’s family, other traders collectively suffered losses amounting to approximately N30 million.
Faith, an official from the Edo State Fire Service, confirmed their swift response to the emergency, successfully extinguishing the fire and preventing its spread to nearby residences. Faith reassured that the situation was brought under control without any reported injuries.