The Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area in Edo State, Engineer Gabriel Iduseri, has blamed solar panel malfunction for the late-night fire that burnt part of the Oba Market in Benin City on Wednesday.
He also commended the firefighters and security personnel for their swift response which prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the market.
According to the Council Chairman, “We learnt that a solar panel caused the fire. We will suspend further installation of solar panels and conduct a thorough inspection of all electrical connections in the market to prevent future incidents.
“I also want to assure the affected trader that we will support them to return to business. Thankfully, no lives were lost, and the damage was minimal.
He also gave assurance that, “The Oredo Local Government was fully on ground to prevent any case of looting.”
Meanwhile, the incident is second time in five years that the popular market has been affected by fire and eyewitnesses from shops opposite the market said they noticed smoke coming from a section where reconstruction work was ongoing.
They immediately sounded an alert and mobilized, along with local vigilantes, to put out the fire while the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Oba Market Police Station led his men to the incident scene.
It was further gathered that the DPO alerted the fire service, which joined civilians in battling the flames for about three hours before the fire was eventually brought under control.
