Fire razes Aba market

• Fire outbreak affected over 30 shops
• Powerline leather products industrial cluster majorly affected
• More than 500 workers were working in the affected shops – Nwanchukwu

Fire reportedly razed Aba market, destroyed leather products, raw materials and machines worth over N3 billion on Saturday night in Abia state.

According to report, the fire outbreak affected over 30 shops at the mansion zone block of the powerline leather products industrial cluster.

Speaking on the development, President of the leather product manufacturers association in Abia, Okechukwu Williams said the huge losses suffered by traders worsened by the harsh economic situation would have been lessened if a fire station were within quick reach. 

Williams called on Alex Otti, governor of Abia, to establish a fire service outpost at the Ariaria international market to address emergencies.

Ugochukwu Nwachukwu, chairman of the affected block in the industrial cluster on Sunday said more than 500 workers were working in the affected shops.

Nwanchukwu said the fire was put out after the Abia fire service arrived from Umuahia, the state capital, about an hour after the incident.

Cherechi Ndukwe, a victim, appealed for immediate help to the affected traders, noting that the incident has put their businesses, families, and employees in jeopardy.

“We made frantic but unsuccessful efforts to douse the inferno with buckets of water before the arrival of the men of Abia fire service from Umuahia,” Ndukwe added.

“It will be very difficult to survive without the support of Abia and the federal government,” he added.

Goodluck Mmeri, another victim, said the situation was made worse by miscreants who capitalised on the incident to loot some materials and machines.

In another story, Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu ordered the immediate closure of 31 scrap and abandoned materials markets in Aba as part of efforts to reduce crime in the commercial hub.

Chief Okiyi Kalu, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, announced the closure in a statement on Wednesday.

The markets would stay closed until the authorities could identify those engaged in the collecting and selling of waste throughout the state, according to Kalu.