Fire guts Onitsha timber market

Goods worth millions have been destroyed by fire at the Ogbo Osisi Timber market bridgehead in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The inferno, which razed some shops in the market, reportedly started late in the evening on Saturday.

This is coming less than one month after the drug and main market, all in the commercial city of the State were gutted by fire.

Confirming the incident, Fire Chief, Engr. Martin Agbili, said no life was lost in the incident.

He said his men were immediately deployed to the fire scene, adding that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

He said,: “At about 1930hrs (7.30pm) of yesterday 10-12-2022, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of 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 is to 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.

Reacting, elderstatesman and former governorship aspirant in the State, Dr Chike Obidigbo cautioned against the spate of fire incidents in Anambra market.

He linked the incident to what he termed, “work of enemies of Ndigbo”, charging security agencies to properly investigate fire incidents in various markets in the State to unmask those bent on destroying Southeast economy.