The Rivers oil mill market is gutted by fire, destroying goods.

Following a fire incident at the oil mill market along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, goods and property valued in the millions of naira were destroyed.

Even though the cause of the fire was not discovered right away, it was discovered that it began early on Saturday while the traders were still at home.

The Rumuokwurusi community in the state’s Obio/Akpor Local Government Area hosts the well-known midweek oil mill market.

On Wednesdays, the market draws vendors who bring their wares from neighboring states.

The fire, which began at around 6:45 am, raged for several hours, according to an eyewitness, before firefighters arrived to put it out.

Some of the traders tallied their losses as they bemoaned the effect the blaze would have on their enterprises and pleaded with Governor Nyesom Wike to help them.

The caller informed the middle-aged woman, who simply gave her name as Ebere, that she was still asleep when her phone rang.

She remarked, “I was still in bed this morning when I got the call that the market was on fire. All of my possessions and those of others had been destroyed when I arrived.

“We offloaded a trailer load of yam, garri, and charcoal, all of which burned.

“Please come and assist us, Governor Wike. Because of this fire, we are perishing!

Another victim, who identified herself as a widow, sobbed uncontrollably while claiming that she had taken out loans to pay for the goods in her two shops, which were now empty.

“I am a widow whose husband passed away in 2007. I still owe interest on the money I borrowed and used to make my purchases.

“My two stores and all of the yam tubers I purchased have burned to ashes. Who will lend a hand to me? How do I return the money I lent?

She fought back tears and said, “That is what I am thinking right now.

Speaking about the incident, Rumuokwrushi, O. C. Wosu, Chairman of the Community Development Committee, said that the fire’s origin was still a mystery but that he was relieved that no one had been hurt.

“Many traders called me in distress to tell me that a portion of the oil mill market was on fire.

“I immediately dialed the fire department. As God would have it, the Shell and Total E&P fire services arrived and were able to put out the fire.

“I praise God that no one was hurt. The traders’ goods, including buildings worth more than N500,000, were impacted.

He cried out, “I beg the Rivers State and the local government to come and help these people.

(TNT)