One person sustained injuries and 1,200 makeshift shops were razed on Wednesday after a gas explosion rocked the popular ‘Hausa Market’ by Custom Junction, Okpanam, suburban Asaba, Delta State.
Goods, food items and cash worth several millions were said to have been destroyed. Many of the traders were rendered homeless as they lived in the shanties inside the market.
A source said the fire was caused by an explosion from a gas cylinder used to prepare noodles by a seller.
He said: “It is a massive land occupying little stores built with wooden structures. They have different activities taking place there.
“According to the community leader, there are about 1,200 stores but only 20 were spared.”
“Somebody that sells noodles was cooking and the gas cylinder exploded.
“The entire market went up in flames and the harmattan breeze helped it to spread.”
READ ASLO: Midnight fire razes market in Delta
