A midnight fire has razed a four-storey modern shopping mall in Benin, Edo State capital. Popularly called Phil Hallmark, the mall is located on Sapele Road.
Scores of sympathizers, including Governor Godwin Obaseki, House of Assembly members and other political bigwigs visited the scene yesterday to commiserate with the owner, Mr. Philip Edigin.
A resident, Tony Kabaka, described the burnt mall as the “Shoprite” of Benin.
It is the only modern shopping in the ancient city.
Sources said the fire started at midnight and lasted till 8 am yesterday, despite efforts to put it out throughout the night.
Goods estimated at billions of naira were destroyed. The four floors, including an extension, used for administrative purposes, were razed.
Workers of the firm were discussing what would become of them, especially during the Yuletide.
Some fire service men, who pleaded anonymity, said a preliminary investigation showed the inferno was caused by a wrongly connected inverter.
The government pledged to conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Governor Obaseki spoke yesterday during his inspection of the mall.
The governor said the investigation would be conducted into activities of the state fire service.
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