Tragedy struck in Sapele, Delta State on Thursday morning when fire ravaged a large building along the Uko Road in the Gana area of the town.
According to witnesses, the inferno began around 1 am and quickly engulfed the entire structure.
“We suddenly saw flames and smoke coming from the building,” said Elijah Omozuwa, a Vigilante who said he was outside that night.
“Within minutes, the whole place was on fire. It was frightening. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze was impossible to control’’ he said.
Four residents who lived in the building described the harrowing scene as they tried to escape the raging inferno.
“I was asleep when I smelt something burning,” said Maria Agbor, a single mother of three. “When I came outside, the whole building was on fire. I just took my children and ran outside in my night dress.”
Sunday Ossai, a trader who owns a shop in the building said he lost everything in the fire. “I had just finished stocking up for the week. Now all my goods, freezers, machines, everything is gone. I don’t know what I will do now. “The cause of the fire is still unknown but it is suspected to have been started by something else apart from an electric fault since we have not had light for days now’’
Firefighters from Seplat Energy battled the blaze for hours but a lack of water hampered their efforts. According to one of the fire servicemen, who craved anonymity, “When we got the distress call, we arrived promptly but there was no source of water. We had to go far to get water before we could start fighting the fire.”
By the time the fire was contained, the entire building had been burnt to the ground. Shops and over 40 rooms are believed to have been destroyed in the inferno, displacing dozens of families.
Some of those who lost their homes and livelihoods have been left devastated. Jane Adeboye, a pregnant mother of two, said she was still in shock. “I only have the clothes on my back now. I don’t know where my children and I will go. I’m just praying this is not a bad omen.”
A former occupant of the building who wanted anonymity, expressed frustration at the situation. “These kinds of disasters happen too often here. The authorities need to improve our fire safety standards to protect lives and property.”
Eyewitnesses commended the efforts of first responders but stressed more needs to be done.
“If the fire service had come faster with more water, maybe they could have saved more of the building,” said Comfort Esegine, a food vendor.
Residents, now fearing for their safety, have called on the state government to take proactive measures to avert future disasters.
“So many buildings are not properly constructed or maintained. A small fire can become a big crisis with the way things are. They need to enforce standards before another tragedy hits us,” said Stephen Okafor, an electrician.
