Fire razes warehouse, shops in Rivers
Story by Jessica Mbamah
A fire outbreak early Friday morning destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira at 57 Azikiwe Street, Mile 2 Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident occurred at about 3am in the densely populated area.
The cause of the blaze was yet to be determined as of press time.
When visited at about 8am, our correspondent reports that the fire was still burning, affecting several rooms and shops within a large compound.
A team of state fire service personnel was at the scene battling the flames, though parts of the building were difficult to access.
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Power generating sets and other goods destroyed in a fire outbreak at Azikiwe Street, Mile 2 Diobu in Port Harcourt on Friday morning.
About seven large shops and eight rooms were destroyed, including a liquor warehouse that lost over fifty crates of beer.
The compound, which has two sections and about 35 rooms in total, narrowly escaped further damage after additional fire trucks and personnel were deployed.
The fire was brought under control after about four hours, though smoke was still visible in parts of the building.
One affected shop owner, Wisdom Jack, who deals in ice block machines, said he lost materials and goods worth millions of naira.
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“Both the ice block machines, even the ones companies gave me to mould, have been destroyed as you can see. I don’t have anybody to run to,” he said.
Another affected shop owner, identified only as Chigozie, said he was alerted about the fire while asleep.
“By the time I went to the scene, I was not able to salvage any of my goods and belongings.
Scene of fire outbreak at Azikiwe Street, Diobu in Port Harcourt with sympathisers and some victim’s. Photo credit: Dennis Naku
“I have two button hole machines, two weaving machines and three industrial machines and cash of over ₦1 million that I kept in my shop too, I lost all. But I know my God will make a way for me,” he said.
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Operatives from the Azikiwe Police Division were at the scene to prevent looting and protect salvaged property.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was on her way to the office and would get details from the Divisional Police Officer in the area.
She had yet to provide an update at the time of filing this report.
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