Goods worth billions of Naira were destroyed in the fire. The razed supermarket houses several sections, including a boutique, bakery, food and beverages as well as home appliances.
Firemen from the Nigerian air force and the university of Benin visited the scene and eventually put off the fire.
Mrs Grace one of the mall's customer, expressed displeasure over what she described as a poor response by the authorities in extinguishing the fire.
She said: ''I came to shop. But I am shocked because from what Hallmark has, this is running into billions. How can a place like Hallmark burn down like this?''
According to Punch, the Edo government has ordered a full scale probe of the cause of the fire that gutted the only ultra modern shopping mall in Benin.
Governor Godwin Obaseki gave the order in Benin City on Sunday when he inspected the mall.
According to the governor, the incident happened at this time of the year is a catastrophe.
''I have asked for written report and investigation into the cause of the fire. We will also investigate the claim by an official of the state Fire service on the allegation of lack of equipment. Because I understand that trucks were distributed by the NDDC and the State Government during the last administration''.
Also, the governor said that to avert such disasters, there would be stricter rules as regards fire extinguishers.
Earlier the Managing Director of the Super Mart Mr Philip Edigin said that the fire started at about 12 mid night.
He disclosed that all efforts to get the state's fire service to come to their rescue proved abortive as the fire service told him they have no diesel to work.
He said he was later able to get help from the Nigeria Air force fire service, IDSL NPDC and UNIBEN, before the State fire service came at about 6am.
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