Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in two separate fire incidents in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Friday and Saturday.
Saharareporters learnt that the first incident occurred late on Friday in Amarata, a suburb of Yenagoa in the state capital while the second occurred in the early hours of Saturday in Aritalin, Ovom also in the capital. A resident, Joy Onuh, said the affected area at Ovom was made of wooden structure and was occupied by mainly commercial sex workers.
"The fire started from the locked room and we thought at first that it was mere smoke until it became uncontrollable," Onuh said, although she blamed the firefighters for arriving late to the scene even as she praised their effort at putting out the fire.
Another resident, Julie Bobby, who lost all belongings to the incident, sobbed ceaselessly while narrating her ordeal. "I lost money, clothing and mobile phones to the fire," she lamented. At Imgbi Road, Amarata, the fire destroyed a car and several shops as the affected persons counted their losses.
The fire was believed to have been ignited by adulterated fuel loaded in the car.
"But for the effort of the fire fighters, the incident could have resulted to disaster," a female resident informed Saharareporters.
Station Manager, Bayelsa State Fire Service, Mr. Prince Ogun, said the incident could not be unconnected to illegal oil bunkering in the area and warned residents to desist from the act.
Ogun urged people of the area to call the fire service promptly in the event of an emergency.
