UGHELLI/Nigeria: There was pandemonium at Otovwodo Market in Ughelli, Delta State Sunday, October 20, 2019 when the transformer serving Otovwodo area was gutted by fire, destroying goods and properties in the area.
According to an eye witness and one of the market women who did not disclose her name said that the fire was caused by the transformer when electricity supply was restored to the area.
She stated that the transformer went into flames after a loud explosion, adding, “The fire would have not caused so much havoc but for the adulterated kerosene sold around the transformer area which ignited the fire.”
She appealed to the Ughelli North Local Government Council Chairman to take action against those selling kerosene around the transformer to avoid such occurrences in the future.
The woman disclosed that no life was lost in the fire but goods sold around the area were destroyed while some persons running for safety sustained minor injuries.
A commercial motorcycle-rider (okada rider) who was also present at the time of the fire incidence and who preferred anonymity corroborated the story saying that the fire started at about 6:40 pm on the fateful day when the market was almost closing.
According to the okada rider, the incident lasted for about one hour before it was put off through the spirited effort of fellow okada riders and people living around the area.
As at the time of filing this report, the place has been condone off by officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), who were seen carrying out repairs.
Meanwhile, normal business activities have commenced in the market except for the areas affected by the fire.
