A devastating fire broke out early Friday morning on Ifejika Street near Main Market, Sokoto Road, Onitsha, Anambra State, destroying a warehouse and a two-storey residential building filled with textiles and durable goods.
The blaze, which began around 6:20 a.m., raged for nearly six hours before state firefighters brought it under control, leaving traders and residents reeling from significant losses.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire originated in a warehouse before spreading to the nearby residential structure. Cheta, one of the affected victims, recounted the scene, stating, “I learnt the fire started at about 5:30 a.m. We arrived this morning to see that our warehouse, where we stored our goods, has been reduced to rubble as a result of the fire incident. It is a huge loss that has sent shock waves through the entire business community in the area.
“The cause of the fire is still unknown. It also escalated into residential buildings. One of the owners of the affected buildings was seen lamenting and trying to commit suicide due to the heartbreak and frustration that resulted from the incident. The victim, was, however, helped out,
comforted and consoled by sympathisers who crowded the scene, while wailings from him and other victims of the inferno were being heard all over the area.”
Anambra State Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa confirmed the incident, noting that a distress call was received at 6:20 a.m., prompting an immediate response.
He said, “We received a distress at about 6:20 a.m., and we immediately deployed four trucks with personnel to the scene of fire. The inferno started at a warehouse stocked with textile materials in the market, it later extended to some residential buildings in the area. Our firefighters battled for several hours, and they made frantic efforts to contain the situation completely. Although no life was lost, apart from goods and properties that were burnt. We called on residents and members of the public to remain calm as the firemen battle to quench the fire.”
Chiketa also thanked sister agencies and the public for their assistance in managing the outbreak.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed sympathy for the victims and praised the collaborative efforts that extinguished the fire.
He stated, “However, no life was lost, and the Command appreciates the support of the Fire Service agency and good-spirited individuals in making sure that the fire was put off. Also, Police have taken over the scene to investigate the cause of the fire and to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation to commit crimes in the area.”
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, police have secured the area to maintain order and support the ongoing efforts to determine the origin of the blaze.
