Hundreds of stranded residents whose houses were destroyed in a fire outbreak in Elekahia Community, Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State are calling on Governor Nyesom Wike to assist them.

The fire occurred at about 8:30am on Friday, following a suspected kerosene explosion which razed houses and property worth several millions of naira in the densely populated area.

It was gathered that the fire became worse when gas cylinders in the homes of some of the affected persons exploded, spreading the fire faster to other areas, displacing about 200 residents.

As the inferno raged, youths and other residents in the area hurriedly mixed water and detergents to try to stop it from spreading, even as distressed calls was made to the fire service.

On arrival at about 9am, men of the Federal Fire Service had difficulty assessing the scene due to the compact nature of the houses, including makeshift buildings.

An official from the Federal Fire Service, John Nnemeka, told our correspondent that the fire spread faster because of the nature of the buildings which posed a major challenge for his men to gain access to the scene.

Nnemeka said, “We could not access the fire quickly because of the road network. We had to be careful driving in so that we don’t destroy electric cables and high tension lines.

“Otherwise we arrived early but the road was too small to access. But in the end a resident helped to break through his fence and passed our hosts. We started fighting the fire and we put out the fire.”

Meanwhile, a victim of the fire, Theophilus Sunday who said he lost everything, said he was in far away Bayelsa when he was called that his neighbourhood was on fire.

Sunday said, “My home theatre, television, fridge, everything I have is gone. It was a very unfortunate situation. The fire started from a nearby building.

“I am homeless now and many of my neighbours too. We are begging our Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to come to our aid.

“This is festive period and many of us were preparing to travel. Asides property, I personally lost monies. If government can assist us in getting a place to stay, we will be happy.”

Similarly, a lady identified as Precious Azubuike, a trader, said she no longer has a roof over her head, having lost everything, including her rented apartment to the fire.

“See what has happened to me. I don’t have anywhere to stay now. All my property is gone. I was not at home when the fire started.

“I didn’t take even a pin from this fire. Before the fire service came, people tried using water to quench (put out the fire). But I lost everything.

“If the governor of the government can help us, we will be happy and thank him because I don’t have a place to stay,” the distraught woman said.