Unbearable Pain Hits Bamenda Traders As Wild Flames Engulf Main Market

 

Shops At Bamenda Main Market Burning 

By Raymond Dingana 

Bamenda -Thursday February 22,2024, The Bamenda Commercial Avenue was busy at some minutes after 5pm when huge flames from a shop at the Bamenda Main Market started spreading to other stalls.

The incident left victims devastated as some stood helpless, watching how their shops burn.

Hundreds tried rescuing what they could as the flames moved from one shop to the other, consuming businesses.

On roof tops were seen some courageous young men tearing off roofing sheets with bare hands all in a bid to cut the fire from spreading.

Persons On Roof Tops Trying To Prevent Fire From Escalating

They stood there like soldiers in a battle field constituting a defense wall against the enemy.

One guy, holding a small water pipe struggled to contain the fire, as sounds resembling that of an explosive are heard from inside the market.

"Na oil, and whisky di explode so," 

an onlooker said explaining that the sounds that were emanating from the flames were bottles of whiskey, and cooking oil  exploding.

"Oh Lord Jesus, come to our rescue, the pain is unbearable,"

a lady is heard crying and praying.

Inside the market, both the young and the old are seen carrying huge luggages on their heads just to be able to have something to start again with in case everything goes up in flames.

"Wenna comot for road, wenna comot for raod," 

they shouted asking for the road to be cleared as they struggled  their way out of the main gate.

Blood could be seen oozing from their feet, but this didn't bother them as if to say what was steering them in the face was more than the wounds they sustained.

Victims Struggling To Safe What They Can

The number of blood tains only explain the seriousness of the incident, and also painting a picture of the number of persons who had injured themselves. 

Security was tight as ill intention individuals roam around waiting for the least opportunity to loot.

North West Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique At The Scene

At about 8:30, Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique arrives the scene alongside other members of the administration with consoling words he says are from the Presidential Couple,

"On behalf of the head of state, I will like to extend to those traders his concern and that of the First Lady.It's a huge catastrophy for the city of Bamenda, and I will like to encourage the traders to remain hopeful, and assuring them that the government will come to their assistance,"

Governor Lele continues,

" asking them to implement security measures prescribed by security services because what we are avoiding now is for no life to be lost here, after losing a lot of properties. We thank the army rescue and the population who are helping out."

This is the second fire incident along Bamenda Commercial Avenue in two weeks. On Thursday February 8 2024, fire razed a dress shop at commercial avenue. Exactly two weeks after still on a Thursday, it was the turn of the Bamenda Main Market.

The extend of the inferno at the Bamenda Main Market would only be ascertained after the fire must have been completely been overpowered.

drayinfos.com

For any inquiries WhatsApp or call us on+237 676238865