A devastating fire has swept through shops along Iweka Road, near the Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, resulting in the destruction of goods and property estimated to be worth millions of naira. Hobnob News reports on the night-time inferno that left traders reeling.
The fire, which erupted at approximately 8:30 pm on Tuesday, rapidly engulfed numerous shops, reducing merchandise to ashes. The cause of the blaze remains unknown, and the fire raged for a considerable period before firefighters arrived on the scene, as many traders had already left for the day.
The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident on Wednesday, stating that they received a distress call around 9:40 pm and promptly dispatched a team of firefighters and equipment.
“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,” said Chukwudi Chiketa, the state fire chief, through the service’s Media and Publicity Unit. “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 fire affected four shops within a two-storey building, which contained furniture materials such as leather and foam. Firefighters managed to save numerous other shops within the same building.
“The cause of the fire outbreak has not been ascertained. The crew of firemen withdrew from the incident’s scene at 03:05 h (3:05am) of the next day, Wednesday 26th March,” Chiketa added.
The incident has left traders counting their losses and raises concerns about fire safety measures in the bustling Onitsha market area. Hobnob News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
