Fire guts multimillion naira shops in Onitsha market

A devastating fire broke out late on Tuesday night at the popular Iweka Road, near Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, destroying shops and goods worth millions of naira. The fire, which started around 8:30 pm, quickly engulfed several shops, reducing goods and property to ashes.

Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, reports indicate that it continued to burn for several minutes before firefighters arrived, as some traders had already closed for the day.

The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident on Wednesday. According to the Media and Publicity Unit, led by State Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa, they received a distress call at 9:40 pm and promptly dispatched a team of firemen and equipment to the scene.

Chiketa stated, “At about 9:40 pm on Tuesday, March 25, we received a distress call about a raging fire at Iweka Road, near Ochanja Market. Our crew was immediately deployed, and they worked tirelessly to contain the fire, preventing further damage. The fire affected four shops, which contained furniture items such as leather and foam, but many other shops in the two-story building were saved.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the firemen remained at the scene until 3:05 am on Wednesday, March 26, to ensure the fire was fully under control.