Traders count losses as midnight fire guts Anambra plumbing market

A fire outbreak in the early hours of Saturday razed parts of the Plumbing Materials Section of the Head Bridge Market, located near the Ogbo-Ogwu Medicine Market in Onitsha.

The blaze, which started around midnight, destroyed plumbing materials and other goods worth millions of naira in several shops, though the exact number of affected stores could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report.

The market, situated along the busy Onitsha-Awka Expressway close to the River Niger Bridge, witnessed frantic efforts by traders and residents who tried to put out the fire before the arrival of firefighters.

Eyewitnesses said the incident caused panic in the area, as shop owners rushed to salvage whatever they could, while others watched helplessly as flames consumed goods they claimed took years of hard work to acquire.

Several affected traders were seen crying and lamenting their losses, describing the incident as devastating and a major setback to their livelihoods.

Although no casualties were recorded and the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, eyewitnesses and traders in the market said the fire started at about 11:55 pm on Friday.

Some eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the fire burned for several minutes until men of the state fire service arrived at the scene and battled to stop it from spreading further.

“The fire started at almost 12 midnight, the security men at the market alerted officials and traders, but before they could rush to the market, the fire had burnt a substantial part of the market.

“As we speak now, some of the affected shop owners are still packing some of their burnt items and examining the extent of damage. The exact cause of the fire could not be immediately determined, but a power surge is suspected.”

Reacting via a WhatsApp statement on Saturday, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Head Bridge Market, Onitsha, Chinedu Ezekwike, confirmed the fire incident.

He said, “There was a serious fire outbreak last night at Head Bridge Market, Onitsha, by the Plumbing Material Section. When we contacted the Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area around 12 midnight, he responded immediately and contacted fire service personnel, and they came in numbers and quelled the fire.

“Special thanks to the Chairman of plumbing material, who left his house in Asaba around 12:15 am to control the situation at his domain.

“As the President General of the market, I want to use this medium to thank all those who contributed in one way or another to make sure that the fire was quenched last night.”

When contacted on Saturday, the Media and Communication Team of the Anambra State Fire Service, led by Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incident.

“Yes, a fire occurred at the market at about 11 pm. The cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained, but it was massive that it destroyed some plumbing and building materials, but what was rescued was also massive.

“As we speak, men of the fire service are still at the market.”

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