Traders at the popular Opolo Furniture Market in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, were thrown into distress on Thursday after an early morning fire destroyed shops and goods worth millions of naira.
The blaze, which started around 4:00 a.m., gutted several makeshift structures near the former NEPA office opposite the Rain Oil filling station. Many shop owners were still asleep when the inferno broke out.
Preliminary findings indicate that the fire may have started after a young boy allegedly set up a small fire to repel mosquitoes while working in the early hours of the morning. The flames reportedly spread rapidly after getting out of control.
Mr. Agbedo Matthew, a caretaker in one of the affected shops, said he received a distress call around 4:00 a.m. and rushed to the scene, only to meet extensive destruction.
Several traders narrated their losses. Sam Kiro said his machines, Lister generator, furniture equipment and completed customer orders were all destroyed.
“My friend called me around 5:00 a.m. that my shop was on fire. When I got here, everything had been damaged. I don’t know where to start from,” he lamented.
Another victim, Agbedo Chinedu, who deals in furniture accessories, claimed he lost goods valued at about ₦56 million and appealed for government assistance to help affected traders rebuild their businesses.
In an emotional scene, a female trader reportedly collapsed after seeing her shop completely razed and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Many victims were seen wailing and counting their losses as they assessed the damage.
Also present at the scene was Mr. Frank Odunukwe, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Bayelsa State, who sympathised with the victims and appealed to the state government and well-meaning individuals to come to their aid.
Superintendent John Oyinda of the Federal Fire Service, Bayelsa State Command, informed that the fire had already intensified before their arrival, prompting them to adopt a defensive strategy to prevent further spread. He confirmed that the situation was eventually brought under control and noted that no life was lost.
He urged residents and traders to prioritise fire safety and promptly report emergencies through the 112 toll-free line.
