Fire guts multimillion naira shops in Onitsha market

Shops and goods estimated to be worth multi-million naira have been burnt during a night fire incident that occurred at the popular Iweka Road, close to Ochanja market, Onitsha, Anambra State.

Our correspondent gathered that the fire, which started at about 8.30pm on Tuesday, razed many shops, burning goods and property to ashes.

Although the cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained, it was gathered that the fire raged for several minutes before the arrival of firefighters, as some of the traders had gone home.

Confirming the fire incident on Wednesday, the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, led by the state fire chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, said it received a distress call at about 9.40pm and immediately deployed a crew of firemen and firefighting equipment to the scene.

Chiketa said, “Anambra State Fire Service at about 9.40pm on Tuesday, March 25, received a distress call about a raging fire outbreak at the popular Iweka road, close to Ochanja Market, Onitsha.

“Immediately, a crew of firemen and firefighting equipment were deployed to the scene of the fire outbreak. They fought gallantly and contained the incident, stopping the fire from further escalation.

“The incident affected four shops, and many others were saved in a two-storey building. These shops contained furniture materials such as leather, foam and others.

“The cause of the fire outbreak has not been ascertained. The crew of firemen withdrew from the incident’s scene at 03:05 h3.05am) of the next day, Wednesday 26th March.”

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