A fire incident wreaked havoc at the Bamenda main market this Thursday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Numerous shops have been reduced to ashes as the flames engulfed the area.
“We were at the main market entrance, where the fire ignited around 5 pm as traders were concluding their activities for the day,” said a source.
Despite the efforts of firefighters to contain the inferno, the intensity of the blaze proved challenging to control.
An estimated 40 shops have been affected.
As the catastrophe unfolded, a large crowd gathered around the Bamenda main market to witness the incident. Amid the chaos, a disturbing turn of events occurred when a young man allegedly attempted to pilfer items from the already-stricken shops. Infuriated by this act, an angry mob resorted to violence, beating the young man to death.
The incident sheds light on the grim reality of vigilante justice prevailing in the country.
A Bamenda resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked, “This portrays the sad reality of jungle justice in the country. It is wrong for individuals, particularly youth, to seek justice without taking the necessary precautions. There remains uncertainty as to whether the young man was indeed a thief.”
Tragically, the identity of the deceased young man remains unknown, and he succumbed to the assault on the spot.
Meanwhile, ongoing efforts are in place to extinguish the lingering flames at the market. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
“The cause of the fire incident remains unknown. However, based on our initial observations, it is evident that tens of millions of French CFA have already been lost, and there are indications that many more shops may succumb to the flames,” MMI’s reporter noted.
“Traders here are witnessing their investments helplessly succumb to the flames. Based on our observations, the construction of the market itself poses additional challenges for rescue teams attempting to extinguish the fire,” he added.
This incident marks the second significant fire in Bamenda since the beginning of the year, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and preventative measures within the community.
