A late-night fire on Wednesday gutted part of the Oba Market in Benin City, Edo State, even as reconstruction work on the facility is still ongoing.
The Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Engr. Gabriel Iduseri, who confirmed the incident, said the fire was triggered by a malfunctioning solar panel.
This is the second time in five years that the popular market has been hit by a fire outbreak.
Eyewitnesses said they noticed smoke coming from a section under reconstruction and immediately mobilized, alongside local vigilantes. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Oba Market Police Station also led his team to the scene and promptly contacted the fire service.
Firefighters, assisted by civilians, battled the blaze for about three hours before it was contained.
After inspecting the scene, Engr. Iduseri told newsmen that only one shop was affected, commending the swift response of the fire service and security agencies for preventing the fire from spreading.
“We learnt that a solar panel caused the fire. We will suspend further installation of solar panels and conduct a thorough inspection of all electrical connections in the market to prevent future incidents,” Iduseri said.
He assured affected traders of government support to resume business, adding that no lives were lost and that security personnel were on ground to prevent looting.