Fire Razes Over 40 POWA Shops In Abraka

By Daniel Dafe

Over 40 stores owned by the Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA, and rented to traders in Abraka, were on Sunday razed by an inferno that left shops and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire started at about 12a.m on Sunday, adding that efforts to get the DELSU Fire Service to the scene proved abortive.

Oasis Magazine gathered that the biggest boutique in Abraka with goods worth over 40 million naira was amongst the shops gutted by the fire. The owner of the said shop identified as Anita is said to have fainted on seeing the destruction caused by the fire, as she was rushed away from the scene. Some of her customers said she imports many of her goods from Turkey and other countries, just as they revealed that the lowest of her items for sale costs N25, 000.

Other shops destroyed were involved in the sale of Flatscreen TVs, chemicals, building materials, recharge cards and provisions. A shop destroyed was said to be into refill of cooking gas.

Many said the fire was caused by high power voltage, adding that the Okotie family stopped it from doing more damage.

An eyewitness, Blessing Liberty, said the Okotie family had to pump water to a water tanker around from which they prevented its spread to a few other shops that were untouched.

One Monday who is said to have first raised alarm to attract help to tackle the fire, said it started from a salon.

ALSO READ: SERAP Sues Buhari Over Ban On Old N500, N1,000 Notes

Speaking to Oasis Magazine, a former Chairman, POWA Plaza and a shop owner, Chief Efe Erakpotobor, said: “It’s a sad day and a sad event has happened in our markets here. We were rudely awakened by the shout of fire, fire, fire in our market. By the time we got here, we were shocked at the extent that the fire has caused. From a rough estimate, about 50 shops with goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed; the building destroyed, goods destroyed; families lost their source of income. It is a very painful thing and sight to behold.”

On the cause of the fire, he said they were yet to ascertain the authenticity of the claim that it began from a salon, but noted that the fire started from one of the shops in the market and it quickly spread to other shops in the POWA plaza.

The chief whose shop was not affected, said they got a generator and a source of waster to manage the situation.

He continued: “Efforts were made to reach out to the Delta State University Fire Service which failed. The report they were giving us were complains. They were not available to serve the public.”

According to him, POWA is a national body and as soon as they get the official report, they should look into the issue and find a way to help the shop owners in these trying times.

He called on the DELSU Fire Service to up their games so that in time of emergencies like these, the people can depend on them.

Asked how such could be prevented, he said until they ascertain what caused the incidence, he cannot suggest a preventive measure.

Adding: “This is the first time in 20 years that I have witnessed this.”