Shops Destroyed As Fire Razes Bayelsa Furniture Market

Goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed following a major fire outbreak at the Opolo Furniture Market in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The fire started in the early hours yesterday and destroyed several shops and business premises in the market.

However, a petrol filling station located close to the affected area was not touched by the flames.

Residents said the fire began at dawn and spread quickly through makeshift structures before officials of the Bayelsa State Fire Service arrived to control the situation.

Traders and shop owners struggled to save their goods, while many watched helplessly as their businesses were destroyed, causing panic in the area.

Some families living near the affected shops were also displaced by the incident.

Residents have called on the state government to take urgent steps to prevent future incidents, especially because of the market’s closeness to a fuel station.

Although no deaths were recorded, traders are counting heavy losses, with goods worth millions of naira believed to have been destroyed in the blaze.

As of the time of this report, the cause of the fire had not been confirmed.