From Dan Maduagwu,
Umuahia
The victims of a fire disaster that engulfed a three-storey shopping complex at 74 Jubilee road in Aba, Abia State have appealed for financial assistance from the Abia and Federal governments to enable them return to business.
The victims, most of whom were dealers in motorcycle spare parts, disclosed that goods and cash worth above N32 million were destroyed by the night inferno which gutted the entire three-storey building before spreading to nearby shops, Thursday.
Though the cause of the fire has not yet been established, some traders claimed that the ball of fire may have started from a shop of a nearby sachet water dealer which according to them may have allegedly left their electrical appliances on after closing from business.
They narrated that most of them were already at home in the night by the time the fire started, narrating that most of them arrived at their shops at morning to behold the charred debris of their former number shops.
They described the incident as a big blow to their businesses and various families, pleading with the Abia state and federal governments as well as patriotic citizens to come to their rescue with financial to enable them restart life.
Speaking on the disaster, the Chairman of old motorcycle spare parts dealers for Jubilee/Azikiwe road axis of Aba, Mr Uchenna Ehirim regretted that goods and other property worth over N32 million naira were consumed by the merciless inferno.
The Chairman further informed he lost his shop to the fire adding that a major spare parts dealer, Mr. Donatus Ezenwaka lost his newly stocked shop worth over N20 million naira were equally gutted by fire.
Apart from the motorcycle parts section, adjacent shops and container-shops were also affected by the night fire, which raged uncontrollably.
However, the men of the Abia State Fire Service, did not show up to quench the fire, even though some traders alleged that their distress messages to the fire fighters was not responded to, while the incident lasted.
But another resident who pleaded anonymity blamed the non-response of fire service men to the alleged incessant manner which some residents of Aba descended on fire fighters during previous fire incidents.
The resident said “ Yes, two reasons may be responsible for their (Fire Service) failure to show up when invited. One reason is the way they were attacked at Osisioma some time ago while when their water finished while fighting fire. You should also note that Aba residents like to beat up fire service people if they arrive late to a fire scene.”
Another reason could be attributed to the burning of some fire fighting trucks belonging to Aba station of fire service during End-SARS protects in Aba last year” , the resident said.
