Fire guts Onitsha market, many shops, goods destroyed

Fire guts Onitsha market, many shops, goods destroyed

A night fire at the popular Iweka Road, near Ochanja market in Onitsha, Anambra State, destroyed shops and products worth millions of naira.

Our correspondent reported that the fire, which erupted at 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday, destroyed many shops, reducing products and property to ashes.

Although the source of the fire has yet to be determined, it was said that it raged for several minutes before firefighters arrived, as some of the dealers had gone home.

Confirming the fire incident on Wednesday, the Anambra State Fire Service’s Media and Publicity Unit, commanded by state fire chief Chukwudi Chiketa, said it received a distress call at around 9.40 p.m. and quickly dispatched a crew of firefighters and firefighting equipment to the location.

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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 was 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 (3.05am) of the next day, Wednesday 26th March.”

 

Fire guts Onitsha market, many shops, goods destroyed