Car Dealer Loses Vehicles Worth Over ₦700m In Fire Disaster 

By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes

A car dealer has recounted the devastating impact of a fire outbreak at his business premises, saying vehicles worth more than ₦700 million, including over 21 cars belonging to customers, were destroyed.

In a video shared online, the dealer said he closed his office at about 10 p.m. but received a call from his security guard around 2 a.m., alerting him to the fire.

He said he subsequently checked his security cameras and watched helplessly as the flames spread through the premises despite attempts to contain them with water and more than 10 fire extinguishers.

According to him, he immediately contacted the fire service and other emergency agencies for assistance. However, he claimed it took about three hours for firefighters to arrive and bring the situation under control.

The dealer disclosed that the fire destroyed his office setup and vehicles valued at over ₦500 million. He added that more than 21 vehicles belonging to customers, worth over ₦200 million, were also affected.

He expressed particular concern for customers who had paid for vehicles that were yet to be delivered before the incident.

“I spent over ₦200 million to buy cars for them, and they could not be able to pick their cars again. They spent over ₦100 million, ₦80 million, and they won’t be able to pick their cars again,” he said.

Visibly distressed, the dealer apologised to the affected customers, saying he was yet to establish the cause of the fire and regretted the losses suffered by those who had entrusted him with their money.

He also prayed for God to bless the affected customers financially and enable them to acquire even better vehicles in the future.

The cause of the fire and the exact extent of the damage have not been independently established.