More than 12 shops in Mboppi market
situated on the peripheries of the center town of Douala were on May 15
2011 destroyed by an inferno which began at about 3pm. Witnesses
said the fire sparked off form a small paper workshop before spreading
to the cosmetic section of the market, considered to be very influential
in the Central Africa sub region.
One
of the Traders, Jules Alain told reporters that it took the
fire-fighters close to one hour to put out the flames because of
difficult access into the Mboppi market. The situation was further complicated because the market does not own adequate water supply points.
Security
forces and military men immediately mounted guard all around the market
to prevent locals and other commuters from looting property. A security source said more than 4 people were arrested and whisked off for detention. This was after the Governor of the Littoral region, Fai Yengo Francis and his etat major visited the market.
Like
in almost fire disasters which have so far touched several markets in
Cameroon, the origins of the flames at the Mboppi market remain unknown. Accusing fingers are pointing at
the anarchical installation of electricity cables like what obtains in
other markets, of been responsible for the inferno. A
commission of inquiry which was immediately created was charged with
identifying the exact cause of the fire incident with material loss
estimated at millions of Fcfa.
The
president of the association of Traders of Mboppi, Alice Makedjou said
they do hope that the commission of inquiry would do its job well and
fast to allow traders resume commercial activities. The fire at
Mboppi market come after that of the Central market, Bonamousadi,
Sandaga in the Littoral, Bertoua in the East and Tiko in the South West
Region of Cameroon.
Solomon Amabo
Sub-edited by N. Tonguem
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