Property worth millions of naira was destroyed in three separate fires that hit a bank, a bookstore, and a one-storey building with 10 shops in the Awka and Onitsha areas of Anambra State.
Reports show the fires happened between Monday and Tuesday. Keystone Bank on Port Harcourt Road in Fegge, Onitsha was one of the affected places. The bookstore was located at No. 3 Venin Ezeani Street, Awada, Onitsha.
The last fire was at a commercial building with about 10 shops along Ifite Road, Amaenyi, Awka. It destroyed two shops and their contents.
An eyewitness near the bank described, “The fire started with thick smoke around the bank’s network area. It burnt for several minutes before firefighters arrived. Security operatives cordoned off the area to prevent any breakdown of law and order until the fire was under control.”
On Wednesday, our reporter spoke to Chukwudi Chiketa, the state’s fire service chief. He confirmed all the incidents and said firefighters arrived quickly to contain the fires and stop them from spreading.
Chiketa said the fire at the bank was due to a power surge. The fire at the commercial building was linked to an electrical fault, likely from an electric iron. He noted that the cause of the fire at the bookstore was still unknown at the time of the report.
He explained that the fire at the commercial building started at midnight. Firefighters worked to control it until the next day. He added, “The Anambra State Fire Service responded to and successfully contained three separate fire incidents recorded in Awka and Onitsha between Monday and Tuesday.”
He listed the fires at Keystone Bank, the commercial building on Ifite Road, and the bookstore on Venin Ezeani Street. Thankfully, no lives were lost in any of the incidents.
“At about 12:05 a.m. on Monday, residents reported a fire outbreak at Ifite Road, Amaenyi, Awka. Firefighters were immediately sent to the scene. They discovered that the fire had affected two shops on the first floor of the commercial building,” Chiketa said.
He added that the fire damaged roofing materials, parts of the walls, and properties inside the shops. The fire was suspected to have started from an electric iron that was left plugged in and overheated.
Firefighters managed to put out the fire and secured the area before leaving. Chiketa confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries.
He said, “At about 09:08 a.m. on Monday, the Anambra State Fire Service received a call about a fire outbreak at Keystone Bank, Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, Onitsha. The crew on duty quickly went to the scene.”
“They found that the fire had only affected the bank’s network equipment/room. Thanks to the quick action of the firefighters, the fire was contained and did not spread to other parts of the bank or nearby buildings. The incident was due to a power surge affecting the network equipment, and no casualties were reported.”
Chiketa mentioned the crew returned to the station at about 11:29 a.m. after making sure there was no risk of further escalation.
He stated that the fire at the bookstore happened around 07:35 a.m. “The Anambra State Fire Service got a call about a fire at No. 3 Venin Ezeani Street, Awada, Onitsha. The property was identified as a bookstore.”
“Fire service personnel quickly responded and worked to put out the fire. The cause of the outbreak is still unknown,” the fire service chief added.
He advised residents and business owners to follow fire safety measures. They should avoid leaving electrical appliances unattended and report fire emergencies quickly so firefighters can respond before the situation worsens.
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