A fire outbreak on Sunday night destroyed goods and properties worth several millions of naira in shops located along Obodoukwu Road near Relief Market, Okpoko, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident caused chaos and panic as traders and residents rushed to salvage belongings amidst a crowded and tense atmosphere.
Although the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, reports indicate that it started in one shop before spreading rapidly to others and damaging a variety of items and materials. An eyewitness and local trader, Ndubuisi, recounted how thick flames were first noticed, spreading quickly before firefighters arrived to combat the blaze.
The Anambra State Fire Service worked tirelessly for hours to extinguish the fire, successfully preventing it from spreading to additional shops and nearby buildings. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“The cause of the fire is still unknown, but we suddenly observed a thick smoke coming out from one of the shops in the building and before we knew what was happening, it started increasing fast.
“The few traders around and some residents and other passers-by mobilized to quench the fire before firefighters arrived. At the same time, some others struggled to salvage some of their belongings to avoid losing everything to the fire.
“We observed thick smoke coming out around a section of the shops and we alerted those affected, some of them arrived promptly at the scene, but could not save much of their goods as the shops were already on fire before the firefighters came.
“Some of the victims could not take anything out of their shops. I can say that goods worth millions of naira were lost to the fire. We can not say what caused the fire, but we pray God comes to their aid,” Ndubuisi stated.
When contacted, the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, led by the State Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Monday.
Chiketa disclosed that two fire trucks from Okpoko Fire Station and Main Market Fire Station and other firefighting equipment were mobilized to the scene, to contain the fire.
“At about 4:19 pm on Sunday, November 24, 2024, the Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call of a fire outbreak at 276 Obodoukwu Road, along the Relief Market, Okpoko, in Ogbaru LGA of the state.
“Immediately, we deployed our firemen, with two fire trucks from Okpoko Fire Station and Main Market Fire Station and other firefighting equipment to the scene, they fought and were able to contain the fire outbreak and prevent it from further escalation.
“The fire outbreak affected a few shops. The cause of the fire outbreak is still unknown. No life was lost. The Firemen left the scene at about 7:39 pm on the same day.
“The general public is advised to remain fire conscious and stay safe,” it stated.
