Fire caused by candlelight has destroyed properties and goods worth millions of Naira around Okwelle axis in Mile 2, Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

The incident happened around 6.30am on Wednesday.

It was said that a female resident forgot to put out a candle she had lit which spread and destroyed over 30 makeshift houses.

Many youths in the densely populated area which is made of mainly makeshift buildings used water and detergent to battle the fire before firefighters arrived. the Punch Reported.

The eyewitness who gave his name as Chukwuma Atamkpo and a member of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA)) security watch said he spotted the fire while on his duty post.

“We were on our duty post and we discovered a flame of fire, then we decided to come here with our boys.

“We asked what happened, they said at about 6am that somebody lit a candle and because the place is batcher (makeshift), the place got burnt.

“I am here with my boys to try to see how we can stop this fire. We also saw some fire servicemen. I directed them to pass through Okwelle. They (firefighters) are still tackling the fire,” he explained.

A resident identified as Christian Alali said he was preparing for work when he saw a tick smoke from one of the rooms.

Alali on his part said he found out that a woman forgot to turn off her stove after she finished cooking.

He explained, “I was preparing to go to work because I stay in this area and i now saw fire. When i ran to the place, they said there a woman that forgot to turn of her stove and went to work.

“You know the whole place is made up of batcher. So before they could fight the fire it escalated to the roof level and affected other buildings.

“If not for the help of the security men and youths around even before the fire service from state government came it would have been worse.”

Also, a female resident said she was at work when the fire started, saying she lost all her property to the inferno.

“This morning I was in the office when they called me that there is fire. As I came here (the scene) I can’t pick anything.

“There was fire everywhere. The only thing i have now is what i am wearing. Who will help me now. Please let the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike come and help us because we don’t have anything,” she stated.