A massive fire on Monday burnt down  a furniture market in Governor Nyesom Wike’s community, with goods worth millions of naira destroyed.

The sad incident happened along the Ikwere Road, Chinda by market junction – Rumueme Mile 4 in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, less than a five-minute drive from the governor’s family house.

Peoples Gazette learnt residents and shops owners were already in their shops doing their daily activities before they heard shouts for help by some shops owners and passersby.

The Gazette could not immediately confirm the cause of the fire outbreak but a local blog reported that the fire started from a foam shop, whose owner had called in a wielder to weld his gate.

Surprisingly, the fire took over the entire shops, affecting buildings and shops around.

When contacted, the state police spokesman, Nnamdi Omoni, said he was still waiting to be briefed on the development.

“I am yet to be briefed.

I will confirm and get back to you,” he told The Gazette on telephone. 

His phone number was unreachable afterwards when The Gazette called.