Properties worth hundreds of millions of naira were destroyed in the early hours fire that gutted the Otukpo main market on Monday.

Our correspondent gathered that the fire which started around 5.am destroyed over 1000 shops.

Though fire servicemen were said to have responded swiftly the clumsy nature of the market prevented the firefighters from gaining entry into the market.

An eyewitness, Ankeli Amanyi told our correspondent that the current incident makes it the seventh time fire was ravaging the market in the past 20 years.

Amanyi said,

“Over 1000 shops were burnt in the fire which started around 5am this morning (Monday). No one could say for certain what caused the fire we just noticed thick smoke from the market which drew the attention of people to the area.

“Actually, the firefighters responded promptly but there was little they could do to put out the fire. The nature of the market did not pave way for the vehicle to enter the market

“This incident makes it the seven-time the market is burning in the last 20 years, it always happen every two to three years.

When contacted, the director, fire service in Benue State, Engineer Ikyaaza Donald confirmed the fire incident and said that his men responded promptly.