More than 20 shops were destroyed by fire when a cooking gas cylinder used by a canteen operator exploded on Wednesday morning at the well-known Nupe line in Igbudu Market, Warri, Delta State, causing significant losses for shop owners.
The structural and material damages incurred by the shop owners are estimated to be worth millions of naira.
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion happened near a warehouse containing insecticides and other flammable items.
As a result, numerous stores nearby were engulfed by the fire, leading to extensive structural damage and loss of merchandise. Although market traders acted quickly to extinguish the flames, the delayed arrival of the Fire Brigade worsened the situation.
Significant damage had already occurred to the surrounding shops and goods before the Nigerian Navy’s fire trucks arrived and finally extinguished the blaze.
Fortunately, there were no human casualties or injuries. Local vigilantes from Igbudu/Hausa Quarters, along with area boys, worked to keep people away from the fire scene. When the site was visited our later in the day, shop owners were seen sifting through the remnants of their destroyed stores.
