A devastating fire engulfed several shops at the popular Iweka Road, near Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Tuesday night, destroying goods worth millions of naira.
The inferno, which started around 8:30 p.m., spread rapidly, consuming shops and reducing valuable merchandise to ashes.
Many traders had already closed for the day, leaving their businesses vulnerable before firefighters could arrive.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, led by fire chief Chukwudi Chiketa, revealed that they received a distress call at about 9:40 p.m. and swiftly dispatched a team of firefighters to the location.
Chiketa stated, “Anambra State Fire Service at about 9.40 pm 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 a.m. of the next day, Wednesday, 26th March.”
The extent of the damage remains under assessment as traders count their losses following the tragic blaze.
