Traders in the Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas lost property worth millions of naira in two separate fire incidents in the state on Thursday night.
The first was discovered on the Marine Base axis of the city, directly across from the Plank shade market.
Eyewitnesses reported the fire started in the morning from a business in the plank shade, as heavy black smoke billowed into the heavens.
According to one eyewitness who declined to be identified, the fire was nearly extinguished by homeowners and store owners prior to the arrival of the firefighters.
He stated, “I was called and told that there was a fire in Marine Base. When I came to the place, it was opposite the plank shade but the boys around did well to see that they stopped the fire.
“Fire service came later and completed what the boys started but smoke is still coming out.”
Another resident who gave his name only as Obi said some angry youths chased men of the state fire service when they came, preventing them from doing their job.
“Later on, the firefighters were allowed and the fire was put out. Though a lot of damage has been done and people have lost properties and valuables,” he explained.
Meanwhile, another fire was recorded at a parking space in the Rumueme axis of Mile 4 along Ikwerre Road on Thursday evening which also destroyed several properties.
A rented space was used by a trader to store items including furniture and mattresses, but the cause of the inferno could not be ascertained.
One of the affected residents said she left her apartment a few hours later but was shocked to see fire on her way back while fighting back tears.
According to her, “I just locked my door and I went out. My coming back I saw a crowd shouting fire, fire. “Reaching here I saw the whole mattresses at the back have burnt. It affected my window and most of my things got lost.”
Another resident said, “We just saw the fire but we could not identify where the fire is coming from. I picked up my phone and started calling the fire service. Though they were not picking they later came. There is this man that stored many goods. Some of the goods just came in.
He however while some succeeded in removing their valuables, many did not because they were not around when the inferno started.
Speaking, an official of the Federal Fire Service, who did not want to be named but was at the scene, said they raced to the scene as soon as they received the distressed call and expressed happiness that some properties were salvaged by residents.
Meanwhile, residents of the state have called on the state government to revive the state fire service and make it functional to promptly respond to such emergencies, as about six five outbreaks have been recorded in various parts of the state this December alone.