BREAKING: Fire razes Oba market in Benin

The popular Oba Market in Benin City, the Edo State capital, has been razed.

The fire, which burnt almost all the massive market, according to witnesses, started around 12:05 am and raged till 6am before it was put out by a team of fire fighters.

It was learnt there was no public electricity supply when the fire started, thereby ruling out the possibility of electrical spark while the actual cause of the fire had not been ascertained.

Many of the traders were crying uncontrollably over the loss of their valuable goods, estimated to be hundreds of millions.

The ever-busy dualised road in front of the burnt market, near Ring Road, was cordoned off by policemen with traffic diverted to adjoining roads and streets.

The Assistant Controller, Federal Fire Servce in Asaba, Delta state, Samson Karibo, who was in Benin with his men, on special assignment, greatly assisted to put out the fire.

Karibo disclosed that the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Obaseki called to inform him, shortly after the fire started, thereby making him to quickly move to the scene with his men.

Karibo assured the inferno would be thorough investigated to know the cause to prevent similar incident in the future.

LATEST NEWS: Fire guts polythene company in Lagos

A polythene manufacturing company has been gutted by fire at Ahmmadiya Bus Stop , Abule-Egba area of Lagos State.

Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said there was no casualty.

It was learnt that the incident occurred on Saturday while production was ongoing at the factory on Wifunke Street, behind Total Filling Station, Abule-Egba.

According to some factory attendants, the fire sparked off from a section of the plant due to overheating of a production unit.

According to him, responders including the LASEMA team, the Federal Fire Service, and the Lagos State Fire Service have arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire.

Millions gone in Delta market fires

No fewer than 300 shops were on Tuesday razed in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Gone with shops were articles valued at millions of naira, leaving traders in tears.

The shops were situated close to the popular Ogbeogonogo Market.

The fire was put out four hours later, but many shops were already burnt.

A storage at Burutu Market in Burutu council area of the state was also burnt down on Tuesday.

Though no life was lost in the blaze, traders whose wares were consumed wept as they counted their losses.

Police spokesman, DSP Onome Onowakpoyeya confirmed the incident, saying that the cause of the blaze was yet to be ascertained.