Traders at the bustling Igbudu market in Warri South Local Government Area are reeling from the aftermath of a devastating fire that destroyed shops containing goods worth millions of naira on Wednesday afternoon.
The blaze, which obliterated about a dozen shops in the Nupe Line section of the market, reportedly started due to a cooking gas explosion at a residence within one of the buildings. Eyewitnesses claim that the gas cylinder was flung out by its owner after it caught fire, but the flames persisted, quickly spreading to nearby shops in the storied building.
Panic ensued among buyers and sellers in the typically crowded market, as seen in a circulated video clip. While some individuals fled for safety, others frantically tried to salvage their goods from buildings adjacent to the burning shops.
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Miraculously, no lives were lost in the incident.
Before the arrival of the fire service, locals made valiant efforts to contain the inferno. Eventually, the fire was extinguished by the fire service.
Affected traders are now appealing for government aid, lamenting the loss of their life savings and goods in the fire.