Ogbe-Ijoh market traders recount their ordeals in inferno

By Badmus Shina

A popular market in Warri, Delta State, known as Ogbe-Ijoh market, was engulfed by fire on Monday, Oct. 20 2019.

Shops owners at the market were seen in a helter-skelter movement, because of their resources lost to the inferno.

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Although no life was lost in the incident, but the fire consumed items worth millions of Naira. Conversely, fire outbreak has been incessant in the market but this created untold overtures. 

Residents around the area said the fire started from an uncompleted building at about 3am in the morning and spread to the neighbouring shops.

The shops consumed by the fired were housing boat engines and spare parts as well as a barbing saloon and other shops.

One of the shop owners, Mr. Egedegu who was badly affected by the fire said, “The items I have lost, worth millions of Naira. Do you know how much is engine parts in the market?”

Further, he said, “The fire started from the uncompleted building close to our shop. When the fire was on rampage, we tried to quench it, to prevent its spread and so we did by removing the roofs of the shops but the wind was still spreading the fire. 

“It was when the fire fighters came that the fire was curtailed. But we don’t really know what caused the fire. What made it reach our shop was the wooden jetty that was locked to the building. It was from there the fire got here.”

Another shop owner, Mr. Charles Yinfawei added that he didn’t know how the fire came about. He said, “I don’t know the cause of the fire but the market started burning at around 3AM this morning.

“I have complete engine in my store which is worth over N15million.”

GbaramatuVoice gathered that one Mr. Stephen, who was a blind man, lives in the building where the fire started burning from but was quickly rescued.

The man who was responsible for rescuing Mr. Stephen, speaking to GbaramatuVoice said, “The man dey shout, I don die oh, I don die oh. So I come try carry am comot from the fire carry am go junction.”