The first was recorded at the Marine Base axis of the metropolis opposite the Plank shade market.
Eyewitnesses said the fire started from a shop at the plank shade in the morning, as thick black smoke was seen billowing into the atmosphere.
One of the eyewitnesses who spoke on condition of anonymity said the fire was almost put out by residents and shop owners before the arrival of the firefighters.
He stated, “I was just called upon that there was fire in Marine Base. So when I came to the place, it was opposite the plank shade but the boys around did well to see that they stopped the fire.
“Fire service came later and completed what the boys started but smoke is still coming out.”
Another resident, who gave his name as Obi, said initially when the fire service personnel came, some boys started chasing them and stopped them from doing their job.
“But they (firefighters) were later allowed and the fire was put out. Though a lot of damage has been done and people have lost properties and valuables,” he explained.
Meanwhile, another fire was recorded at a parking space in the Rumueme axis of Mile 4 along Ikwerre Road on Thursday evening which also destroyed several properties.
Our correspondent who visited the scene noted that a rented space was used by a trader to store items including furniture and mattresses, but the cause of the inferno could not be ascertained.
One of the affected residents said, “I just locked my door and I went out. When I returned, I saw a crowd. Reaching here, I saw all the mattresses at the back have burnt. It affected my window and most of mu things got lost.”
Another resident said, “We just saw the fire but we could not identify where it started from. I picked my phone and started calling the fire service. Though they were not picking but they later came. There is this man that stored many goods. Some of the goods just came in.”
Speaking, an official of the Federal Fire Service said they got to the scene as soon as they received the distress call and expressed happiness that some properties were salvaged by residents.
Meanwhile, residents of the state have called on the state government to make the state fire service functional in order to promptly respond to such emergency situations.
