At least three shops were destroyed after a power transformer exploded at the entrance of Aliade Main Market in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday morning.
The blast reportedly triggered a fire that spread rapidly to nearby stalls, burning goods and equipment before residents could contain the flames. Traders and passers-by fled the area as thick smoke and fire engulfed parts of the busy market.
Eyewitnesses said the explosion occurred suddenly, sending panic through the trading hub as flames leapt from the transformer and quickly reached nearby shops.
Local residents and traders mobilised to battle the blaze in an effort to prevent it from spreading further across the market. Their intervention helped stop the fire from affecting additional businesses.
Three shops were damaged in the incident, including two provision stores and a phone charging centre. The charging unit, owned by Mr Nicodemus Anula, was completely destroyed along with equipment and other items inside the shop.
Despite the scale of the damage, no casualties were reported. However, the incident has raised fresh safety concerns among traders and residents who operate close to electricity installations.
Many of them have urged relevant authorities and electricity distribution companies to urgently inspect transformers and other power facilities within the market to prevent a similar incident in the future.
