A devastating fire broke out early this morning at the Onitsha Main Market, one of the largest and busiest markets in Nigeria. The incident occurred around 6:20 a.m. at Ifejika Street, near Sokoto Road, and quickly spread to adjacent structures, causing significant damage to goods and properties.
The Anambra State Fire Service responded promptly to a distress call and deployed firefighters to the scene. Chukwudi Chiketa, Head of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the incident and assured the public that efforts are underway to contain the blaze. "Our firefighters are actively working to bring the situation under control. We urge residents and traders to remain calm as we address the emergency," he stated.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic as traders and bystanders attempted to salvage goods from the affected buildings. Despite the swift response from emergency services, the fire has caused extensive losses, with goods worth billions of naira reportedly destroyed.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities have urged business owners and residents to take proactive fire safety measures to minimize the risk of such incidents in the future.