Fire Razes Popular Uselu Market

Properties worth millions of naira were reportedly lost as fire gutted the popular Uselu Market on Ugbowo road in Egor Local Government area of Edo State yesterday.

The incident, which started around 8.30pm on monday night, left 50 shops, on osamwonyi Street, burnt to ashes.

 

One of the victims of the fire incident, Mr. Chidera Nwakeze, who spoke to Punch, said he lost everything he newly stocked his four shops with. These, he said included bags of rice, beans and other goods.

However, most of the people who were affected by the fire outbreak believed the fire outbreak was not an accident.

A source who also spoke concerning the incident believe that the fire was allegedly caused by some traders who were against the success of others.

“I don’t think that the fire was caused by any electrical fault because the section which got burnt has been out of electricity supply.

“Someone must have set fire on this area of the market because it is dominated by Igbo people,” she said.

The council chairman, Mr. Victor Enobakhare, while commenting of the incident, said the inferno was a case of sabotage by persons who were against the reconstruction of the market.

He however pledged N1 milloin to help alleviate the pains of the loss of the victims while also promising to inform the State government. about their plight. - punch.