Fire Destroys Goods Worth Millions Of Naira In Sapele

It was a sad day for residents of Amukpe, Sapele as wide fire gutted a building destroying over 12 rooms and 9 shops in the process.

BigPen Online learnt that the fire destroyed goods and other valuables worth millions of naira in the incident which occurred Monday morning.

The fire incident was said to have started around 2:am and spread to all part of the building because fire fighters were not on sight to help quench the wide inferno.

A source said that by the time fire service personnel arrived the scene, goods and properties worth millions of naira have been consumed.

The fire, according to a resident, Mrs AKpevwe Michael destroyed about nine (9) shops in the building located in No 112, Warri /Sapele road and also spread to a nearby building in No 114 of the same street in Amukpe, Sapele.

Some of the houses destroyed by the inferno were said to be owned by the former Community Chairman of Sapele Okpe Community, Mr Moses Ogodo.

One of the shop’s owners, who simply gave her name as Mrs Anita, said that Delta State Fire service was contacted but arrived late when the damage has been done.

Mrs Anita said, “they came late, by the time they arrived the scene, the damage has been done, a situation that has made us resolve to self-help, pouring water on the fire to put it out”, she told newsmen on Tuesday in tears.

A boutique owner in the area, who simply wants to be address as Mr Julius, said he lost goods worth 6 million.

“In fact, when I got there, the extent of fire was better seen than described, there was nothing I could do. I was helpless because I didn’t have the capability to put the fire out, he said.

Mr Julius, however insisted that the fire was not as result of the electrical fault or power surge from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) as widely speculated.

“This has got nothing to do with Benin Disco, this is the job of arsonist. Look, there was no light, because of the load shedding on the transformer, we did not have light yesterday, (Monday), so where did the fire come from? I strongly believe these cult boys are at it again” he added.

Another resident of the area simply identified as Mrs Lucky said the cloth she was putting on was the only thing left with her after the fire incident, saying, “I lost over 2 million naira but its okay, when there is life, there is hope”, she stated.

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