Fire Guts Onitsha Main Market

A section of the popular main market in Onitsha, Anambra State is on fire.

The cause of the fire, which reportedly started around midnight is yet to be ascertained.

A trader in the market, Obenta Jude said two block of shops within the section of the market known as Kano Street have so far been razed by the inferno.

He said efforts by fire fighters who arrived the scene shortly to put out the fire have not been successful as the fire continued raging.

Confirming the incident, Fire Chief, Engr Martin Agbili said his men were promptly deployed to the area immediately he was alerted.

He said: “At about 0220hrs (2.20am) of Monday 28-11-2022, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak at Kano Street behind Main Market, Onitsha.

“However, we deployed our fire truck and firefighters to scene of fire and they have been working there. They have gone for refilling of the fire truck twice.”

Reacting to the incident, the Anambra State Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that the situation was under control and that the no loss of life though goods worth millions of naira has been affected.

He disclosed that preliminary information showed that the cause of the fire was as a result of electrical upsurge from a cosmetics store in the storey building.

Ikenga said police monitoring personnel are still at the scene of the fire incident to ensure continued safety and security.

The police spokesman also used the opportunity to advise members of the public to always turn off their appliances before leaving their homes or offices.