A devastating fire broke out on Tuesday night at Iweka Road, near Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, destroying shops and goods worth millions of naira. The blaze, which started around 8:30 PM, spread rapidly, reducing property to ashes.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but reports suggest it burned unchecked for some time, as most traders had already closed for the day. The Anambra State Fire Service received an emergency call at 9:40 PM and swiftly dispatched a firefighting team.
State fire chief Chukwudi Chiketa confirmed that firefighters battled relentlessly to contain the flames and prevent further destruction. The fire engulfed four shops in a two-storey building storing highly flammable materials like leather and foam, worsening the devastation. Despite the intensity of the inferno, the fire service managed to protect several other shops from being consumed.
Firefighters remained on-site until 3:05 AM Wednesday to ensure the blaze was fully extinguished. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the incident
