Goods, including sewing machines and power-generating sets, worth millions of naira, were destroyed in a midnight fire at the popular Oyigbo timber market in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 2am on Thursday, following an illegal electrical connection that ignited the fire when the public power supply was restored in the area.

One of the victims who gave her name as Chioma lamented, “It was when they restored power supply, because I live close to the marker, (that) I heard a loud sound and the next thing was fire and it was spreading fast.

“A lot of engines, sewing machines, planning machines, and generators were destroyed. None of those machines is less than N2m to N3m.

“They were all damaged and we are left with nothing. This (trading) is the only thing I do to train my children in school.” 

Similarly, a resident who gave his name as Chuks said that the area affected was the sawmill section housing machines that was affected.

“Over 20 machines were burnt to ashes. It was because of a faulty electrical connection. So when the light was restored, it resulted in a huge spark and the fire started spreading,” he added.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she would find out and get back to our correspondent.

However, she had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.