Fire razes Abakaliki Market

Tragedy struck on Thursday after fire razed down a section of the Abakaliki Main Market in Ebonyi State and destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira.It was gathered that the fire started after traders and other users of the market had
closed for the day.

The fire, which raged for over four hours, affected about five buildings and destroyed most of the shops on Gunning Road and Ojewere Street.

Firefighters told our correspondent that findings revealed that the fire emanated from a spark at a mill in the market and would have destroyed the entire Gunning Road and Ojewere Street.

The fire was put out through the combined efforts of firefighters and some residents who came out with their firefighting equipment.

Sympathisers thronged the market, including the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Kelechi Igwe.

The Chairman of the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency, Rev. Ephraim Ononye, commended relevant agencies for their promptness in responding to the distress calls made to them.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Ogbaga, assured the victims that the state government would not abandon them.