Deidei furniture market in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has been gutted by fire, leading to the loss of furnitures and goods worth N300 million.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that some of the shop owners affected by the incident openly wept when they got to the scene.
Mr Daniel Akhigbe Ebhodaghe, the Chairman, Abuja Furniture Makers Association, said the fire started early hours around 4am on Thursday, when traders were yet to open for the day.
Daniel revealed that the land gutted by fire has been in dispute with some group of people who claimed ownership, adding that the matter was ongoing in the court.
The Chairman however, called on the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the traders aid to help cushion the hardship they are facing.
Mr Paul Emiantor, the treasurer of the association said men of the fire Service arrived at the scene and battled the fire to prevent it from spreading to other shops.
Paul said the fire started from one of the warehouse located at the middle of the buildings, adding that the cause of the fire outbreak which spread to other warehouses was not known yet.
An artisan, Abdulfatar Umar, who could not hide his tears, said he has lost goods worth over N2 million to the fire outbreak.
Umar said he lost all finished jobs meant to be delivered to his clients, his working tools, dispatching motor bike, generator set and other valuables.
Chief Ebosetale David Aigbefoh, the Legal Adviser to the Abuja Furniture Makers Association, said the unfortunate incidence was very worrisome and disheartening.
Aigbefoh, who said the warehouses has about 24 heavy duty machines and over 200 special artisans, called on the Federal Government well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid to help reduce the hardship they were facing. (NAN)