There are possible indications that an electric fault may have led to the fire which engulfed the Marine Shade Market.
The Port Harcourt Telegraph which has been on the trail of the story since the news broke gathered from residents and traders alike that the incident might have been caused by an electric spark.
There are however others who are raising conspiracy theories, but there is no proof at this time to justify such claims.
The Port Harcourt Telegraph has obtained videos and photgraphs which show images of the market on flames Wednesday night.
In the background, voices can be heard of people expressing concern while the amateur video of the incident was being made.
Property worth millions of naira were destroyed by fire at the popular Plank Market at Marine Base.
The fire incident occurred Wednesday after traders had closed their shops and gone home.
Valuable items belonging to the traders were never recovered, according to what we have learnt
So far, there has been no reaction from the Rivers State Government, following the destruction wrecked by the inferno.
Most residents of the area, including traders are still in shock, following the incident.
A lady told the Telegraph, “We were all frightened. We couldn’t go to sleep. We stood guard over our homes as we prayed for efforts to put off the fire to succeed.
Strangely, there was no help from the State Fire Service. Residents who spoke to this publication claimed that calls placed to the Fire fighters were ignored.
“Mother luck saved us from the fire. There were no fire trucks; no fire fighters”, a resident disclosed.
Our information shows that residents did not go to bed until about 4am Thursday.
There are fears that the Rivers State Government may annex the area used for the market, if an earlier threat by the State Government relating to incessant fires at the market is carried out.
Governor Nyesom Wike is quoted as saying that government would take possession of the land should there be another fire incident.
This is about the eighth time that fire would engulf the market at Marine Base.
Traders were spotted by our Correspondent Thursday morning discussing the incident. Most of them appeared terribly devastated.