By Felix Igbekoyi - Asaba
Properties and goods worth over N15 million were reduced to ashes at the weekend, following an inferno that gutted some brothels in Asaba, Delta State capital.
Located behind the popular Abraka Market on the Benin-Onitsha expressway, a suburb of the state capital densely populated by migrants from the northern part of the country, the fire affected the entire building with over 90 rooms and over 10 stores where provisions are sold.
The fire which was said to have started at about 5.00 a.m. would have spread to the adjoining buildings thereby causing more havoc but for the efforts of concerned neighbors who used the mixture of water and detergent to put out the raging fire.
When our correspondent visited the scene, some of the prostitutes occupying the over 90 rooms for patronage from men looking to cheaply satisfy their sexual orgy were counting their losses while others simply exhibited a level nonchalance as they were puffing cigarette and Indian hemp.
Although the cause of fire was not known, a resident in the area who identified himself simply as Izuchukwu blamed it on faulty electrical connection within the building when electricity was restored by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
“I came out in the morning when Muslim were preparing for prayers and saw flames of fire going up and people started shouting for help.
“The fire was caused by electrical connection. Maybe the connection was faulty and when electricity was restored, it sparked and the fire started,” Izuchukwu noted.
Izuchukwu also blamed men of the fire service for not responding on time to the distressed call, noting that the inferno would have done more havoc before the fire service men arrived if not for the efforts of neighbors.
Meanwhile, another resident in the area who pleaded not to be mentioned in print has described the brothel as an illegal building which is causing obstruction on the right of way, calling on the state government to enforce its town planning rules.
“Just look at where the burnt building is, it has closed this road coming from the express. The building is illegal because it is blocking the right of way. Government should do well by removing this building from here by enforcing town planning rules,” he stated.
The post Fire Guts Brothels In Asaba appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.