Assessment of Fire Safety Preparedness of Merchants in the Principal Market Places of Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State

Introduction

Incidents of fire have escalated into a persistent calamity in prominent outdoor markets across Nigeria. Abdulsalam et al. (2018) indicated that fire outbreaks are attributed to insufficient awareness, carelessness, inadequate energy management, and overcrowding. Adekunle et al. (2018) contended that numerous significant open marketplaces in emerging nations lack adequate emergency response facilities for fire disasters. The suggestion is that during a fire incident, the financial losses are substantial, and the recuperation of market assets is minimal. Adeleye (2020) asserted that numerous losses following a fire incident were irretrievable. Nevertheless, losses may be mitigated via insurance coverage, investment in safety measures, and public education.

A fire event is an unexpected or unanticipated situation within constructed spaces (Adeleye et al., 2020). Catastrophic fires in constructed settings including public institutions, places of worship, marketplaces, educational establishments, and healthcare facilities can arise from numerous causes, including human error and the utilisation of defective electrical devices (Ugwu, 2025; Udoh et al., 2025). While fire is an essential element for human existence, it poses a threat when it ignites in inappropriate locations. Abdulsalam et al. (2016) contended that the devastation resulting from fire incidents is challenging to assess both socially and economically because of the complexities involved in appropriately gauging personal losses. Akanmu and Arokoyo (2023) contended that research aimed at assessing the consequences of fire disasters primarily focuses on economic losses, resulting in a significant lack of data regarding the psychological effects on victims. Abdulsalam et al. (2016) attributed the recurrent incidence of fire outbreaks in emerging nations to the exponential increase in population, disorganised placement of market establishments, carelessness about unauthorised electrical connections, domestic fire usage, and fuel storage.

Adekunle et al. (2018) contended that factors contributing to fire incidents are continually evolving due to changes in the built environment, urban development, the use of open markets, and varying levels of adherence to safety protocols. Historically, and in numerous instances also today, electric blankets, space heaters, defective household appliances, and cooking devices have been significant contributors to fire incidents (Mukhwana et al., 2017). However, in recent years, the utilisation of lithium-ion batteries has introduced a new and concerning hazard to the fire sector. Alao and Mohmood (2020) indicated that fire catastrophes might lead to numerous fatalities, severe injuries, and considerable property damage along with the devastation of public infrastructure. Adekunle et al. (2018) conducted a trend study of fire incidents and noted that the first documented fire catastrophe occurred in 587 B.C., resulting in the total destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. The tragic incident resulted in the loss of both lives and property. A significant conflagration in human history is the naturally triggered fire catastrophe resulting from the earthquake in San Francisco in 1906. Anthony et al. (2019) contended that no other imperial city has had such catastrophic fire incidents in human history. Anthony et al. (2019) contended that the United States and Canada have advanced further than any other nation in creating instruments for assessing fire-related mortality, with fatality rates often two to four times greater than those in Europe.

A catastrophe may refer to any event, either anthropogenic or natural, that leads to irreparable destruction requiring assistance. Incidents of fire in prominent markets primarily stem from human mistakes, including improper electrical usage, non-adherence to fire safety regulations, and overcrowding. Ayabei (2016) contends that fire is essential for human welfare, although it can be challenging to predict when an epidemic will occur. Ugwu (2023) contended that reducing the harm inflicted by fire incidents necessitates the accessibility of fire management resources and the proficiency of users in public establishments like markets, hospitals, and schools.

Bejide (2023) identified deficiencies in awareness of the use of some installed fire safety equipment in developing nations. They contended that despite the installation of fire management equipment, such as extinguishers, in several public venues, such as open markets, consumers lack sufficient education regarding safety protocols, the use of safety devices, and evacuation methods during fire emergencies. Chan et al. (2018) contended that the stress and panic elicited during a fire breakout often lead to disorganised reactions that may exacerbate losses.

Port-Harcourt Metropolis serves as the capital of Rivers State, characterized by swift population increase and spatial development. The increase in business operations in the Metropolis has resulted in the establishment of numerous traditional open markets. Nonetheless, numerous markets are packed, overcrowded, and chaotically organized, lacking a culture of safety. The suggestion is that sporadic fire incidents have been documented, and the effectiveness of reaction and recovery efforts has been insufficient. While various studies have assessed the effects of fire incidents in the Metropolis, the focus has primarily been on economic repercussions, with insufficient emphasis placed on response and recovery strategies. Consequently, this research aimed to examine the effects of fire incidents, as well as the subsequent reaction and recovery efforts in the Port-Harcourt Metropolis.

Materials and Methods

Study Area

Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State in southern Nigeria, is situated within the Niger Delta region. Geographically, it lies between latitudes 4°44′N and 5°05′N and longitudes 6°55′E and 7°08′E (Nwankwoala, 2015). The city is positioned along the Bonny River and serves as a major port and industrial hub, especially for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The total land area of Port Harcourt is approximately 360 square kilometers (Oruonye & Ahmed, 2011). This urban area has grown significantly due to industrialization and population expansion, making it one of Nigeria’s most economically strategic cities.

 Population and Sample

The target population comprised all residents of Port Harcourt Metropolis. The population of Port-Harcourt Metropolis according to 2006 National Population Census was two million (2,000,000). When projected to 2025 using the current growth rate of 2.87% provided by the National Population Census Bureau (National Population Commission, 2010), the population of Port-Harcourt is currently 3, 3939,993. Using the Taro Yamane formula at a 5% level of precision, a sample size of 400 respondents was obtained based on the projected population of over 3,000,000.

Sampling Techniques

A purposive sampling technique was adopted for the selection of markets used in this study. Using the ballot method, names of all major markets in Port Harcourt Metropolis were written on slips and placed in a bag. Five markets were randomly selected through a lucky dip process. The selected markets include: Obio/Akpor International Market, Mile 1 Modern Market, Mile 3 Ultra-Modern Market, Creek Road Modern Market, and Rumuodumaya Market. Following the selection, the total population of shop owners and market squatters in each market was determined. The structured questionnaire was administered to respondents to obtain information on the impact of fire outbreak, response and recovery. The instrument was divided into two sections: Section A captured socio-demographic characteristics, while Section B contained items addressing the research objectives using a four-point Likert scale of Strongly Agree (SA = 4), Agree (A = 3), Disagree (D = 2), and Strongly Disagree (SD = 1). A total of 400 questionnaire was deployed and 398 were returned worthy of use for the data analysis process.

Methods of Data Analysis

The data collected from the field were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Descriptive statistics were employed to organize, summarize, and present the data in a meaningful form. Specifically, the data were collated, processed, and presented using tables, pie charts, and bar charts to provide a clear quantitative representation of the findings. Frequencies and percentages were computed to describe the characteristics of the respondents and the distribution of responses to the study variables. In addition, inferential statistics were used to test the study hypothesis. The hypothesis, which stated that the levels of preparedness for fire disaster do not vary across the selected markets in the study area, was tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). ANOVA was considered appropriate because it determines whether there are statistically significant differences among the mean levels of preparedness across the selected markets by examining the variation within and between the groups.

Results and Discussion

The Level of Fire Disaster Preparedness of the Users Of Major Markets in Port-Harcourt Metropolis

Table 1 presents respondents' assessment of their level of preparedness for fire disasters in major markets within Port Harcourt Metropolis. The findings reveal a low level of preparedness, as all weighted mean (WM) values ranged from 2.05 to 2.32, below the benchmark of 3.00. This indicates that most traders lack the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to respond effectively to fire outbreaks.

Although knowledge of how to use basic fire safety equipment recorded the highest WM (2.32), over 82% of respondents admitted they lacked this skill. Likewise, more than 84% had never received fire safety training, while most respondents were unaware of emergency exits or did not have emergency contact numbers for fire service agencies. These findings suggest poor awareness and limited preparedness for fire emergencies.

The availability of fire safety facilities was also rated poorly. Respondents indicated that functional fire extinguishers, emergency response plans, and regular fire drills were largely absent in their markets. In addition, very few traders had insured their goods or contributed to fire safety initiatives, highlighting weak institutional and financial preparedness. Respondents did not consider themselves adequately prepared to respond to fire outbreaks, with the grand weighted mean remaining below the acceptable benchmark. The findings point to serious gaps in fire safety training, emergency planning, safety infrastructure, and insurance coverage, underscoring the need for improved preparedness measures to reduce fire risks and their associated losses.