Multi-million worth of goods destroyed by fire in Onitsha market

Goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed when fire gutted some shops at a timber market known as Ogbo Osisi Bridgehead Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.

As reported by The Punch, the incident happened late on Saturday and about 28 large shops jointly shared the premises.

According to the Chairman, Bridgehead Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, Chinedu Ezekwike, the fire, started at one of the shops and then spread rapidly to others due to the highly combustible materials, including machines and equipment of different types.

Ezekwike, who spoke to reporters on the scene, said the fire ignited as a result of some sparks from smoothing machines used in smoothening some finished wood products like doors and chairs.

He added that the tongues of sparklings fell into a heap of wooden dust and gathered momentum with the assistance of the harmattan, thereby spreading the fire.

He, however, noted that traders in the market battled to control the inferno before the arrival of the state fire service men who battled to put off the fire.

While lamenting the total cost of damages, he called on the state government to assist the fire victims in getting back to business soonest.

Confirming the incident, the state Chief Fire Officer, Martin Agbili said he immediately dispatched his men as soon as he got a distress call from members of the public.

He said, Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call of a heavy fire outbreak at Ogbo Osisi (Timber Market) Onitsha by GUO Plaza.

“Immediately, we deployed our fire truck and firefighters to the fire scene. We battled the fire, controlled and fought it to a standstill.

“The cause of the fire was unknown. Although, the fire destroyed some shops but no life was lost during the inferno.

“We must know that we are at the peak of the harmattan. Avoid anything which can cause fire outbreak at this season.” Agbili added.