The Delta State chapter of the Fire Protection Association of Nigeria has said the devastating fire that gutted parts of Fashaya Plaza near Warri Main Market could have been prevented if adequate safety measures were in place.
The association made this known on Wednesday during a press conference in Warri, where it expressed concern over rising fire incidents across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the national leadership, the state chairman, Ukor Friday Chidubem, sympathised with traders affected by the inferno, noting that many lost goods and their means of livelihood.
“We empathise with the people of Warri, particularly the traders who lost their businesses in this painful incident,” he said.
Chidubem described the fire outbreak as regrettable, stressing that such disasters are often avoidable with proper fire protection systems.
“As professionals, we know that incidents like this are preventable and the losses could have been minimised if assets were properly protected,” he added.
He, however, noted that the cause of the fire is yet to be determined and remains under investigation.
The FPAN chairman warned that market fires are becoming increasingly common, disclosing that 1,866 fire incidents were recorded nationwide last year, including 190 market-related cases, with 39 deaths.
He attributed the trend to overcrowding and lack of basic fire safety infrastructure in markets, which often hinders emergency response.
“Our markets were designed for smaller populations, but urban growth has made them congested, making access difficult for responders,” he said.
He urged traders and market associations to install fire extinguishers and ensure basic fire safety training.
Also speaking, the President-General of the Main Market Traders Association, Alex Idiegbe, blamed the scale of destruction on inadequate firefighting equipment.
According to him, firefighters are competent but poorly equipped, struggling with limited water supply, pumping machines and unreliable electricity.
Idiegbe called on the Delta State Government to provide the necessary tools to improve emergency response.
The coordinator of Fashaya Plaza, Chimezie Chukwuma, said traders initially attempted to control the fire before firefighters arrived.
He noted that although the fire service responded quickly, their water supply was exhausted within minutes, forcing them to withdraw temporarily.
Chukwuma said it took about 30 to 40 minutes before another firefighting team arrived with additional support, by which time the fire had already caused significant damage.
Meanwhile, FPAN announced that Warri will host the 2026 National Conference on Fire in Nigeria in August, aimed at promoting improved fire safety and prevention strategies.
