At Obi Isiedo foodstuff market, Okpuno-Egbu, Umudim, in Nnewi, Anambra State, a fire has destroyed no less than 250 shops.
We learned that the shops were destroyed by fire on January 1st night.
According to a source, the fire started at one of the shops around 10 p.m. on Saturday night and quickly spread to others.
According to the source, seven water tankers were dispatched to the scene but were unable to put out the fire.
Rev Chinedu Dike, a resident near the market whose house was set on fire, said no one could explain what caused the blaze.
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“As you can see, my house is in close proximity to the market.” I had just returned from a few functions and was winding down when we heard a scream that the market was on fire around 9.30 p.m.
“People began running helter-skelter in search of assistance, and water tanker suppliers were contacted, who mobilized up to seven tanks of water to put out the fire, but it was in vain.”
“Firefighters arrived, but the fire had already spread.”
“Millions of naira worth of goods were destroyed. “My two-story under construction building was on the verge of being consumed, but I fought to save it and received some bruises in the process,” he said.
He estimated the number of burned shops to be between 250 and 300, all of which were stocked with merchandise.
He urged the government of Anambra State, as well as other organizations and individuals, to help the fire victims.
Martin Agbili, the Director of the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the fire incident and said no one was injured.
According to him, the fire started around 10 p.m.
He expressed gratitude to the public, security agencies, and his men for ensuring the residents’ safety.
