A fierce night fire tore through several shops along Iweka Road, close to the busy Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. The blaze, which started around 8:30 p.m., destroyed goods and properties worth millions of naira. It left shop owners devastated and struggling to understand the cause.

Fire Breaks Out After Market Closure

The fire broke out shortly after traders had closed their shops and returned home. As a result, no one was around to respond quickly or stop the flames from spreading. According to eyewitnesses, the fire spread rapidly and burned for several minutes before firefighters arrived.

Security personnel tried to contact shop owners during the outbreak. However, some traders missed the calls due to dead phones and lack of electricity. This delay allowed the fire to consume entire stores before help arrived.

Shop Owners Return to Rubble and Losses

By Wednesday morning, affected traders returned to find their shops in ruins. Many stood in disbelief, trying to salvage any remaining goods from the ashes. One victim, Nonye, who sells furniture and leather materials, described the situation as heartbreaking.

“I got here this morning and saw everything gone,” he said. “I didn’t receive any call during the fire because my phone was off. It’s a huge loss, and I don’t even know how to begin again.”

Another trader, Uche, who deals in foams, also lost everything. She said, “I only heard around midnight that shops were burning. By the time I got here this morning, my shop was completely destroyed. Everything is gone. It’s hard to believe this has happened.”

Firefighters Contain the Flames After Hours of Battle

The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident and detailed their response. Chukwudi Chiketa, the agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, said they received a distress call at 9:40 p.m. and immediately deployed a crew with firefighting equipment to the location.

“Our team arrived quickly and fought hard to stop the fire from spreading,” he explained. “We successfully contained the fire and saved many other shops in the two-storey building.”

He noted that the fire affected four shops stocked with highly flammable items like leather and foam. The crew battled the flames until 3:05 a.m. on Wednesday. Although they stopped the fire from reaching more shops, the damage had already taken a toll on the traders.

Root Cause Remains Unknown, Investigations Ongoing

Officials have not yet identified the cause of the fire. However, past incidents in the area suggest that faulty electrical wiring, power surges, or negligence could be responsible. The Anambra State Fire Service has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause.

Similar fires have occurred in the Onitsha commercial axis over the years. In 2022, a fire at Ochanja Market destroyed over 30 shops. In 2020, another inferno swept through Ochanga Market, triggering calls for stronger fire safety regulations across the state.

Traders Demand Safety Measures and Government Relief

In the aftermath, traders are calling on the state government to act. They want better fire prevention strategies, regular safety inspections, and emergency response improvements. Many also hope the government will provide financial relief to help them recover their losses.

So far, no agency has confirmed any compensation plans. However, residents have urged the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (ASEMA) to assess the damage and provide support to affected shop owners.

Traders Face Uncertain Future

For now, many affected traders are left with nothing. They face the painful task of rebuilding their businesses from scratch. With no insurance and no savings to fall back on, some are unsure of how to restart.

Despite their grief, traders like Nonye and Uche continue to show resilience. They remain hopeful that better safety systems will prevent such disasters in the future. Meanwhile, the state’s fire service has urged market associations to organize regular safety drills and install proper fire prevention tools in shops.

As cleanup continues, Iweka Road bears the scars of another market fire—one that traders and residents won’t forget anytime soon.