A devastating fire outbreak occurred at the popular Iweka Road market in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Tuesday night, destroying shops and goods worth millions of naira. The fire, which started around 8:30 pm, ravaged several shops, leaving nothing but ashes and charred remains.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire raged for several minutes before the arrival of firefighters, as many traders had already closed for the day and gone home. The Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call at 9:40 pm and promptly deployed a team of firefighters and equipment to the scene.
Chukwudi Chiketa, the state fire chief, confirmed that the fire affected four shops in a two-story building, containing furniture materials like leather and foam. Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, the firefighters successfully contained the incident, preventing further escalation.
The fire was eventually brought under control, and the firefighters withdrew from the scene at 3:05 am on Wednesday. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of markets in the area, with many calling for improved measures to prevent such disasters in the future.
