A building housing some shops at No. 36 New Umuahia Road, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State, has been destroyed by fire, leaving goods and other valuables worth millions of Naira in ruins.
The fire incident, which was allegedly caused by a faulty solar electrical installation in one of the affected shops, engulfed the entire building.
Although men of Abia State Fire Service arrived at the scene, goods stored in the building had already been completely destroyed before their arrival.
Recounting their loss to journalists, victims of the fire disaster cried out that they lost everything they invested in their businesses.
The traders included Destiny Uwa, a dealer in packaging materials and supplies, Onyekachi Nelson, who specializes in hair clippers and sharpening services, Rose Onwuka, a wholesaler of Nigerian Breweries products and Kelechi, a trader in poultry feeds and related products.
Also affected was Mr. Prosper Ukoha, who said that his modern saloon with millions of Naira was razed to ashes, a day to its grand opening ceremony.
The victims appealed to Governor Alex Otti, the Abia State government, and well-meaning Nigerians to extend urgent support to them, adding that such assistance would determine whether or not they could return to business.
Some residents of Ogbo Hill, who spoke on the incident, urged the Abia State government to improve fire safety enforcement and to strengthen emergency response measures in Aba, to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
