Bayelsa Furniture Market Fire Causes Massive Losses

A devastating fire engulfed a furniture market in Bayelsa, starting around 4:00 AM on Thursday while residents were asleep. The blaze, reportedly sparked by a mosquito-repelling material, led to widespread destruction of shops.

Mr. Agbedo Matthew, the caretaker, received a distress call at 4:00 AM and rushed to the scene, where he found extensive damage. The Bayelsa State Fire Service arrived at 6:00 AM, nearly two hours after the fire began, to contain the flames.

Traders, including Mr. Agbedo Jude, whose shop was completely destroyed, expressed their despair, stating that their businesses, built over years, were lost overnight, amounting to millions of naira in damages. They appealed to the state government for support to rebuild their livelihoods during this difficult economic time.

Mr. Wanfor Obina, another resident, described the frantic efforts to contain the fire with water before firefighters arrived. Attempts to reach the Bayelsa State Police Command for an official reaction were unsuccessful.