An early morning fire on Wednesday destroyed several shops near the General Post Office on Ibokwu Street, by Old Market Road in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State.
The inferno, which caused significant damage to goods, property, and equipment worth millions of naira, was reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Origin of the Fire
Eyewitnesses revealed that the fire started in one of the shops. Mrs. Chidimma Ike, a homeowner in one of the affected buildings, recounted:
“The fire started from one of the shops early this morning. We suddenly noticed thick smoke, and before we understood what was happening, the fire began to spread rapidly.”
She added that most traders were at home for the Christmas holiday when the fire broke out.
Delayed Response
Despite numerous calls to the fire service, local residents and passersby took charge, working tirelessly to rescue goods and combat the flames. The absence of shop owners exacerbated the challenge of containing the fire.
Impact on Shop Owners
Mr. Chinedu Nnamdi, a shop owner and resident in the area, initially dismissed the smoke as waste burning until he received a call from neighbors about the disaster.
“I was not aware that the smoke was from a fire engulfing our shops until I received a call from my neighbours about the incident,” he said.
Community Effort
The fire highlights the need for improved emergency response in Onitsha, as community members often find themselves at the forefront of managing such crises. Local authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
