Shops estimated to be worth multi-million naira have been burnt during a midnight fire incident that occurred at Ahia Mgbede, located opposite the New Motor Spare Parts Market in Nnewi, the commercial hub of Anambra State.
TheNigerian Metro gathered that the fire, which started in the early hours of Tuesday, razed down many shops, burning goods and property to ashes.
Our correspondent, who visited the scene, observed as the incident sent tears and agony to the victims who came to their place of business early on Tuesday morning only to find it in the rubble.
Although the cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained, it was gathered that the fire raged for several minutes before the arrival of the firefighters as some of the victims and sympathisers were seen trying to salvage some of the remains of their goods, while lamenting the unfortunate incident.
A victim, identified simply as Uche said, “We arrived this morning to see that our shops have been reduced to rubble as a result of the fire incident. It is a huge loss that has sent shock waves to the entire business community in the area.
“The cause of the fire is still unknown. It burnt many shops. One of the owners of the affected shops was seen lamenting and trying to commit suicide, due to the heartbreak and frustration that resulted from the incident.
“The victim, a female, who just returned from the village, was, however, helped out, comforted and consoled by sympathisers who crowded the scene, while wailings from her and other victims of the inferno were being heard all over the area.”
Another victim, who gave her name as Udoka, said, “I deal on groceries. The information circulated at midnight that some shops were on fire and that firefighters were battling to control it. Some people who were mobile rushed to the scene to ascertain what was happening.
“But I came this morning to see that everything in my shop and the structure had been reduced to ashes. This is a huge loss to me and I don’t know where to start from again.”
Confirming the fire incident in a statement on Tuesday, the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, led by the state fire chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, said it received a distress call at about 2:15 am and immediately deployed crews of firemen and firefighting equipment from the Nnewi Fire Station and Ogidi Fire Station to the scene.
The statement read, “The Anambra State Firefighters attended to a hugely escalating fire at Ahia-Mgbede, located opposite Motor Spare Parts Market, in Uruagu Nnewi, Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State.
“The Anambra State Fire Service received the distress call at 0215 hours (02:15am) of Tuesday, January 14, 2025, and immediately deployed crews of firemen and firefighting equipment from Nnewi Fire Station and Ogidi Fire Station to the scene.
“The Firemen fought tirelessly and contained the fire.
