The Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie (Esq.), has visited the scene of fire outbreak which razed down two buildings on Lagos Street in the heart of Benin City.
The SSG who arrived at the scene of the fire outbreak at about 7.15am, expressed shock over the disaster caused by the fire which started at about 1.35am.
Barr. Ogie sympathized with the leadership and members of the Lagos Street Traders Union, operating under the auspices of the Akugbe Multi-Purpose Traders Association.
The SSG counseled the traders to take solace as necessary steps would be taken to cushion the effect of the fire incident which was allegedly caused by electrical faults and razed down house No. 5 and half of house No.7 which had over 60 shops.
Also speaking with journalists at the. scene, the President, Akugbe Multi-Purpose Traders Union, Lagos Street, Comrade Martins Eboigbe, said he was called up on the phone by unknown persons at about 2:30am and was informed about the unfortunate fire incident.
According to him, he quickly mobilized and visited the scene only to discover that house No.5 had already been razed, and the timely intervention by the Edo State Fire Service prevented house No.7 from being completely razed down by the inferno.
He lamented the huge loss recorded in the incident, especially in view of the loans and credit facilities the affected traders had obtained to fund their businesses which they must pay back.
The President of the Union solicited support from Government, corporate organizations and individuals to enable the fire victims revive their businesses, disclosing that goods worth over .N250 million were destroyed by the early morning fire in the sixty shops and warehouses at Lagos Street, Benin City.
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