FROM ALOYSIUS ATTAH, OnitshaTraders and small scale industrialists lost goods and properties worth millions of naira yesterday in Onitsha following an early morning fire that gutted the polythene dealers market, Nwaizu Estate, Awada.

Three businessmen, who could not withstand the enormity of their losses allegedly attempted suicide by jumping into the raging fire but hey were later rescued by fellow traders.

When Daily Sun reporter visited the market yesterday morning, billows of smoke covered everywhere, while parts of the market were still on fire even as the traders watched helplessly as nothing was recovered from the inferno.

Scores of distraught shop owners in the market said the inferno started in the market at about 2am, after a storm with claps of thunder ripped through the area and a nearby shop caught fire which spread to the entire market.

Giving further insight on the incident, the Chairman of Progressive Polythene Dealers Welfare Association, Mr. Vincent Elechi, said the traders had suffered terrible losses and regretted that the situation would have been salvaged if the state fire service had responded promptly.

“From our findings, it was the electric pole at the entrance of the market that caught fire when thunder struck. But immediately I got the information, I alerted the state fire service and they promised to come, but later said they needed to refill their water tank. By the time they arrived, everywhere was on fire because our products are highly inflammable. We have more than 3,000 traders and small scale industrialists here but all our years of toiling have been reduced to ashes. Though we are still counting our losses, presently more than N500 million has gone down the drain,’’ he said.

Corroborating the chairman’s claims, the Vice Chairman of the market, Francis Ubakasi, said some people were rescued from the fire when they attempted suicide.

He stated that the market served the polythene needs of Nigerians and some African countries, while some of them borrowed money from the banks to finance the procurement of their machine tools.

The traders appealed to the state government to come to their aid to cushion the effect of their losses.

source: http://sunnewsonline.com/new/national/traders-attempt-suicide-fire-guts-onitsha-market/

eeyaah.. We actually need effective and efficient fire service, possibly with state of the art equipment located close to all major and big markets not excluding industrial estates. For how long shall we keep loosing millions to negligence? Let Nigeria government be proactive for once. Haba

Very sad! However when there's life, there's hope

Dz guy Primate Olabayo prophesied dz in one of his books...

FASHOLA IS RESPONSIBLE, why is this many hell bent on making money, they would soon give reconstruction contract to tinubu. Igbos will survive

Every disappointment is a blessing.

Ok, over to uba, ngige and ibiano, who will take advantage of this to win election. Give them 1billion naira and get 3000 votes.

I blame fashola!

Nigerians don't have insurance culture. I'm sure those that insured their goods will not worry much as its a proven case.

sandijey: I blame fashola!

Yeah I blame him, his head was just too flat to fan off d fire.

so japan of africa can burn!

Very soon the victims will start running to lagos.

Sad news.
What's the point of having and paying fire men when they do nothing as either there have no water or fuel when their services are needed ?

Segeggs: so japan of africa can burn!

Very soon the victims will start running to lagos.

dis is becoming 2 childish

It's a pity. Looking at the picture, I wonder how the fire got to that level without any attempt to put it out. I'm also wondering what is taking Seun so long to review membersip on nairaland because I'm tired of silly comments here

Just attempt...ibo man cant commit suicide...

Na Fashola and Tinubu hand dey this one. APC want build ultra modern market and name it after Ngige.

Hmmm hmmm! Ibo people n money, are those properties as valuable as thier lives

Let me read it. Space booked. Whrs ma readin glass

This is sad. Where is NEMA and other emergency services when you need them?

This is why Ladipo had to be sanitized.

These people run markets like an assylum

Eyaaah, too bad.
.
.
.
May the lord strengthen them.

Segeggs: so japan of africa can burn!

Very soon the victims will start running to lagos.

Pls stop this childish behavior.
Grow up bro.

tobechi20: Just attempt...ibo man cant commit suicide...

GBAM!

Dudu_Negro: Na Fashola and Tinubu hand dey this one. APC want build ultra modern market and name it after Ngige.

ur comment looks more ridiculous than the fire incident. Kid

I feel for the traders.
Don't let us tribalize or politicalize this sad incidence.

Thunder will fire all dis fire servicers.....you know you are a fire fighter & you don't av enough water in ur tanks & @ d end of d month if ur not paid fully,you go on strike sayin you were not paid for d services you rendered...pls which service did you render.....propaganda

lygn19: Dz guy Primate Olabayo prophesied dz in one of his books...

Both of you needs brain checkup.

Who is to be blame if not govt of the state. May god replenish them.

iykepromotions: Very sad! However when there's life, there's hope

yes oh

God