Fire Destroys Building in Anambra

A fire broke out on Thursday and damaged goods in a one-storey building on Ozubulu Street, near Bida Road, Onitsha, Anambra State's commercial center.

The fire caused damage worth millions of naira but was brought under control by the Anambra State Fire Service.

Luckily, no one was hurt.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and is being investigated. Early reports indicate it started in a spot where flammable materials like cartons were stored.

Eyewitnesses said the flames burned for several minutes before firefighters arrived. They noted that the firefighters had a hard time getting to the site due to the rough terrain and low visibility.

Our reporter, who visited the area on Friday, noticed that some owners were still trying to recover items from the burnt building.

Chukwudi Chiketa, Head of Media and Publicity for the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the incident on Friday. He stated that a firefighting crew and equipment were sent out right after they got the emergency call.

The statement said, "The Anambra State Fire Service responded promptly to a fire outbreak involving flammable materials, mainly cartons, at No. 91 Ozubulu Street, by Bida Road, Onitsha, in the early hours of Thursday.

"The distress call came in at 0224 hours, and firefighters were quickly dispatched to the scene. Thanks to their quick and professional action, the fire was controlled, stopping it from spreading to nearby buildings.

"The firefighting operations wrapped up, and the crew left the scene at 0605 hours.

"The cause of the fire is still being looked into.

"Fortunately, no lives were lost, no one was trapped, and no injuries were reported during the incident."

The fire service advised residents and business owners to follow fire safety rules, especially when handling or storing flammable items. They also urged people to report any fire emergencies quickly for a fast response.