PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE – A devastating fire tore through a compound at 57, Azikiwe Street, in the Mile 2 axis of Diobu, Port Harcourt, on Friday morning, destroying goods and property worth millions of Naira. The inferno, which reportedly began around 3 a.m. while residents were asleep, engulfed several rooms and shops, leaving many business owners and residents counting their losses.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. A team of firefighters from the state fire service arrived at the scene and battled the blaze to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the compound. Despite their efforts, the damage was extensive.
Victims Recount Heavy Losses
One of the victims, Wisdom Jack, who sells ice block machines, expressed his devastation. “Both the ice block machines, even the ones companies gave me to mold have been destroyed. I don’t have anybody to run to,” he lamented, facing a significant financial setback.
Another affected shop owner, who identified himself as Chigozie, was called to the scene while he was still asleep. He arrived to find his shop in flames, unable to salvage any of his goods. “I have two button hole machines, two weaving machines, and three industrial machines and cash of over N1 million that I kept in my shop too, I lost them all,” he said. Despite the immense loss, he held on to hope, stating, “I know my God will make a way for me.”
Police Prevent Looting
As firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, operatives from the Azikiwe Police Division were on site to prevent miscreants from looting the salvaged property. The police presence ensured that the victims, already reeling from their losses, did not suffer further setbacks. The community now faces the daunting task of rebuilding and recovering from the tragic incident.
