Business
Multiple Fire Outbreaks Rattle Yenagoa Residents
Two separate fire incidents that occurred in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital on Monday and Tuesday were now causing apprehension among the residents
The first fire outbreak which occurred on Monday evening in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, destroyed over 30 make-shift buildings located at Shell Ramp, Swali community.
The inferno which started at about 6.30 pm, destroyed valuable property including vehicles worth millions of naira.
Officials of the state fire service and some public spirited individuals rushed to the scene to assist in putting off the fire with water,sand and detergents.
Some of the victims including commercial sex workers were now squatting with friends and relations in the state capital.
There was no casualty recorded but the victims of the incident were said to be counting their losses.
The Tide gathered that it was the timely intervention of the men of the state fire services that prevented the fire from spreading to the nearby popular Swali market.
The cause of the inferno was attributed to an explosion which set blaze adulterated petroleum products being sold by an illegal bunkerer.
The area is said to be a den for bunkerers, commercial sex workers and other illicit traders.
Several efforts by law enforcement agents to dislodge them was unsuccessful, according to a police officer who pleaded anonymous.
When The Tide in Yenagoa visited the scene, thick smoke was still oozing out from the ashes.
But barely 72 hours after the incident, another fire occurred at the popular furniture firm in Yenagoa, destroying Royal Heroes Furniture and goods and property in the area.
An eyewitness and resident , Tari Henry, said the fire started from a waterfront where hordes of petroleum sellers reside.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.