An overnight fire said to have been caused by an electric spark razed down a Police Shopping Complex in Mararaba in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday.

The complex, located at a junction adjacent to NNPC Petrol station along Secondary School Road, houses a barber’s shop, boutiques, cosmetic, food and provision stores. 

Peoples Gazette learnt the incident happened at about 1am.  

A provision and foodstuff shop owner, Faith Ibrahim, lamented her loss when she visited the scene, calling on the government to assist them. 

She said, “It started around 1am. People living around said the fire started from a spark when electricity was restored. I sell provisions, bag of rice. It is out of this business that I take care of my children. I just restocked my shop with over N2 million. I will appreciate any help from the government.’’

Another shop owner, Manaseh Igber, said the fire spared nothing in his shop. 

“They said the fire broke out from an electric surge from the pole,” Mr Igber said. “The thing is bad. Before we got here everything had been burnt to ashes. I sell foodstuffs and provisions. The goods in my shop are worth N4.5 million.” 

Shops numbering 15 were consumed by the inferno. As of the time of filing this report, sympathisers had thronged the scene, helping to gather damaged goods from the affected shops. 

Contacted, the state Federal Fire Service said they got no call regarding the incident, referring Peoples Gazette to the state fire service.

“When did that happen? We didn’t receive any fire outbreak call,” an unidentified official who picked up the Peoples Gazette call said. It is the state fire that will respond.. Call back and we will send you their contact information.”

The Peoples Gazette called back after a few minutes but the official said she had yet to get the contact as of the time the story was published. .