Parts of Eliozu Community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State where the State Government uses as scrap yard were on Saturday enveloped with thick smoke of fire causing so much panic among residents.
The Fire started at about 7am at the Rivers State Government Scrap Yard at Eliozu which was loaded with condemned tyres opposite Eliozu Market, Off East-West and G.U. Ake Road Eliozu, road frightening most of the market women who scampered for safety packing their wares and stands afar.
The thick flame and smoke temporarily hampered a free flow of traffic along the popular Chief G.U.Eke road, as motorists and commuters resorted to the use of one Lane of the dual carriage way.
Eyewitnesses said the Fire fighters who arrived the scene with two fire fighter trucks from the state fire service were seen gazing at the flame helplessly and complaining that they could not access scrap yard to fight the fire.
“When the firefighters came, they were just looking at the fire and complaining that they could not get access to quench the inferno.
“We don’t know what started the fire but all we saw was a heavy flame burning the heap of condemned tyres that are more than about 10,000 pieces in the government scrap yard.”
When contacted, Dr Bariere Thomas, the Commissioner for Special Duties, said the Ministry was aware of the fire and was doing something to put out the fire.
Dr Bariere Thomas however cautioned residents of Port Harcourt to be careful while handling inflammable materials during this hot harmattan season.
