Anambra Blaze Claims 10 Shops, Building in Devastating Fire

No less than 10 shops and a residential building were consumed in a fire incident near the Afor Nkpor Market, along Oraukwu Crescent/Nkpor Old Road, within the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The inferno occurred late on Sunday night and was caused by a power surge from one of the shops in the market

On Monday afternoon, victims and some shop owners were observed inspecting the damage, while others rummaged through the rubble to salvage any valuables

An eyewitness near the scene, who simply identified himself as Bassey, said, “The fire started from one of the shops on Sunday night. We were in a nearby drinking joint when suddenly we heard a loud noise that sounded like a thunder and before we knew it, the entire place was engulfed by a thick smoke.

“We then rushed out and used sand and whatever that was within reach to try to quench the fire but to no avail as it continued to extend to other shops. We continued in our effort but the fire resisted our efforts.

“For about 30 minutes, we were fighting the inferno but it worsened and by then half of the shops and residential building had been razed completely

“As we continued the fight, personnel of the state fire service stormed the place and in anger, angry youths stoned them and they ran away with their truck. The firemen were pursued and their vehicle damaged in the process but they managed and escaped with it.”

Also reacting, a resident of the area who pleaded anonymity, said, “God saved the fire service men because the angry youths wanted to lynch them for coming late to the scene of the incident.

“However, the entire shops and a residential building were destroyed beyond recognition as the fire resisted efforts to quench it, it resulted in stampede as it occurred in most of the shops within the premises touched by the inferno.

“Goods worth millions of naira, that were mostly provisions in about 10 shops, POS services, and salons, among others, were damaged beyond recognition by the ravaging inferno

“No life was lost but scores sustained various degrees of injuries as a result of the stampede. Gas cylinders stored in some of the shops were said to have escalated the inferno.”

At the time of this report, victims were observed counting their losses and appealing to the state government for assistance.

Efforts to obtain a response from the state fire chief, Martin Agbili, proved unsuccessful as calls and messages to his telephone line received no response as of the time of filing this report.

Kanyi Daily recalls that an early morning fire ravaged sections of a popular shopping mall in Gwarinpa, FCT Abuja, leading to the destruction of goods valued at millions.