By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
An early morning fire gutted four shops, causing extensive damage to goods worth millions of naira at Nkwo Market, Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State on today.
The inferno, which erupted around 1:20 am, was attributed to a power surge, according to initial reports from eyewitnesses at the scene.
Two days prior to the incident, Anambra’s Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, had expressed concern over the recurring fire outbreaks in the state. She disclosed that within the past month alone, the state had recorded 24 fire incidents, urging the public to take preventive measures to curb such occurrences.
ALSO READ: Nnadozie warns against complacency as Super Falcons face Cameroon in Olympic Qualifier
Among the documented incidents, nine were recorded in January, followed by an additional eight in February.
Eyewitnesses around Nkwo market recounted the destruction of various items, including household goods and plastic materials, as the fire engulfed the shops.
The devastating blaze, which lasted for hours, caused significant disruption to the bustling Nkwo Market community, leaving merchants and residents grappling with the aftermath of the destruction.
State Fire Chief, Dr. Martin Agbili, confirmed the incident and assured that no lives were lost in the blaze. He commended the swift response of his team, which prevented the fire from spreading further within the market premises.
Agbili emphasized the importance of vigilance against power surges, citing it as a suspected cause of the fire. He urged residents to adopt safety measures such as switching off electrical and electronic appliances when not in use to mitigate the risk of such incidents recurring.
