Tragedy was averted in Enugu the Enugu State capital on Friday when firefighters stopped Ogbete main market from being gutted by fire.
It was learnt that the entire main market which is in the heart of Enugu metropolis nearly went up in flames but for the prompt response of combined efforts of men of the State Fire service, traders and market security personnel.
An eye witness said that traders used fire extinguishers to prevent the inferno from spreading to other parts of the market although it touched the foam section of the market.
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“The fire which started at a foam shop rampaging to adjoining shops was immediately arrested by traders making good use of the fire extinguishers installed in all corners of the market to combat the fire before prompt arrival of the state fire service”, one of the traders who gave his name as Samuel Onyema said in an interview.
Reacting to the fire incident, the Chief Fire Officer, Enugu State, Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa said he was happy that the traders lived up to expectation by putting their fire training knowledge by the State Fire service to work before his men could arrive at the scene.
Ohaa appealed to traders to be careful and always be on the lookout especially this harmattan period to avoid fire disaster in the market emphasising that the market authority should make the roads leading to and around the market accessible to fire trucks in case of any eventuality.
“My men fought so hard for about half an hour to gain access to the market. I thank the state governor, Rt. Hon. Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the provision of fire extinguishers in the market and for his support to the State Fire Service. The governor’s proactive measures have saved the situation”, he added.
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