Good worth millions of Naira have been destroyed after a fire broke out on Monday at the popular Ishieke market in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, razed about 20 shops.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Chief Fire Officer in the State, Raphael Ibiam confirmed the incident, blaming it on a power surge in one of the buildings and warned residents to always put out all appliances they are not using.
He also advised residents especially traders and shop owners to but and install fire extinguishers to help put out fire before it gets out of control.
“We received distress call around 2:15 am and quickly mobilised to the market. It has already spread to many shops when we got there.
“We managed to control and put it off around 3 am. We are suspecting that it might be as a result of fire surge”
“Traders should try and put off all electrical appliances they are not using. This is the third fire I of recent that is suspected to have been caused by power surge”
“Also, we have been advising traders to get fore extinguishers. This will help them to control or even put off the fire before fire service gets there. But they have always remained adamant about.
“They should know that it is for their own good. A good extinguisher is about N10,000 N12000. It is better to spend that amount to secure your premises and goods than to lose millions”, he said.
