Shop owners in Debt, Tears as fire guts Jalingo Market

Shop owners along Roadblock in Jalingo, Taraba’s capital, are drowning in debt after a firestorm ripped through their businesses early Saturday morning, gutting millions of naira worth of goods, leaving many in tears.

Freshreporters news understands that the fire incident was suspected to have started from a gas tank, and rampaged through Roadblock’s businesses, leaving a path of devastation in its wake.

As this report is written, shop owners scrabble through the charred remains, saving whatsoever has not been burnt yet.

Kindhearted onlookers attempted to put out the flames, but no firefighters were on the scene.

Some shop owners told our reporter that the firefighters’ absence led to the fire’s massive damage.

One owner lamented that the firefighters, when they finally arrived, were poorly equipped and quickly left, unable to control the inferno.

Freshreporters News reports that a firefighter who spoke anonymously, confessed, “This state lacks the basic firefighting tools, and our station barely manages on limited resources.”

While they hope for help from the authorities, the firefighter emphasized the desperate need for logistical support: “With this latest disaster, we hope the authorities will finally see the need to assist us. We’re far behind our colleagues in other states when it comes to equipment.”

Police officers have been sent to the scene to stop angry young people from looting any remaining goods…[CONTINUE READING HERE]>>