A night fire on Tuesday, March 25, gutted several shops at Iweka Road, near Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The fire destroyed multi-million-naira worth of goods, mostly furniture and foam materials.

The blaze started at around 8:30 p.m., catching many traders off guard as most had already closed for the day.
Eyewitnesses said the fire spread quickly, burning through the locked shops before help arrived.

Firefighters Arrive an Hour Later

The Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call at 9:40 p.m., nearly an hour after the fire began.
According to State Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa, fire crews were immediately deployed to the scene with firefighting equipment.

“Our firemen fought bravely to contain the flames,” Chiketa said.
“They stopped the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.”

Shops Destroyed, Others Saved

The fire destroyed four shops in a two-storey building, with goods inside completely burnt.
The destroyed items included leather, foam, and other furniture materials.
Thanks to the firefighters’ quick action, many other shops were saved from the blaze.

The fire crew remained on site until 3:05 a.m. on Wednesday to ensure full control and safety.

Cause of Fire Still Unknown

The exact cause of the fire remains unclear.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether it was due to electrical faults, flammable materials, or negligence.
An investigation is expected to follow.

Traders Devastated by Loss

Affected traders are now counting their losses.
Some say they have lost everything they owned, including stock bought on credit.
“This was my only source of income. Now I have nothing,” one trader said tearfully.

Calls for Better Safety Measures

The incident has sparked fresh calls for

• Better fire prevention systems in major markets

• Regular safety inspections of electrical installations

• Quicker emergency response systems

• Support for affected traders

Residents urged the state government to install modern fire alarms and response systems across Onitsha’s markets.
They believe this will help prevent similar disasters in the future.