Several shops were gutted by fire at the Ihiokwu main market in Obarike-Ito, Obi Local Government Area of Benue State.

The fire was contained by sympathisers and shop owners as there is no fire station in the area.

An eyewitness who does not want to be named, explained that he noticed the fire in the early hours of Sunday and raised an alarm.

“I raised an alarm when I noticed smoke coming out from one the shops and before people could come the fire escalated and burnt several shops.

“The cause of the fire is not known immediately is there was no electricity in the market,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro has symathized with the victims of the fire incident.

In a statement by his Media Aide, John Eche’Ofun, Moro said he is saddened by the incident.

He described the incident as very unfortunate, considering the hardship that people are presently experiencing.

Moro sympathized with those who lost valuables to the inferno and called on all and sundry to rally round the victims at this trying moment.

He equally called on relevant agencies of government to quickly step in to help in whatever way to alleviate the pains of those affected.