A fire triggered by a cigarette stud has reportedly destroyed 15 speedboats, goods and property worth millions of naira in Warri, Delta State.
The inferno which began around 11pm on Sunday December 19, from a nearby filling station after shop owners had gone home, razed a section of the Miller Waterside along the NPA Road in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The damage was already been done before firefighters arrived at the scene. Some eyewitnesses told journalists that the fire was caused by a cigarette stub carelessly thrown away near the filling station.
A resident of the area who identified herself simply as Mine, said they heard an explosion around 11pm and before they could rush out, the fire had engulfed the entire area.
Chairman of the Boat Owners Union at the Miller Jetty, Mr Stillbert described the incident as unfortunate and devastating and also pleaded with Delta State Government to be sympathetic with the victims by mitigating their losses.
Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Dr Michael Tidi who also commented on the incident, said they’ve launched an investigation to unravel the cause of the fire. He also asked residents to be extra cautious this dry season to avoid fire incidents.