A devastating fire on Thursday razed shops at Umuocham Road, World Bank Housing Estate in Aba, Abia State, destroying goods worth millions of naira. The fire, suspected to have been caused by an electrical surge at a wood fabrication point, began in one section and rapidly spread to nearby shops, leaving many traders in anguish.
Abia State Fire Service officials quickly responded to the emergency, containing the blaze and preventing further damage to residential and commercial areas. Despite their efforts, traders lamented the loss of investments they had stocked for Christmas sales.
Arua Nnanna, Controller/Chief Fire Officer of Abia State Fire Service, confirmed the incident, noting that while investigations are ongoing, the rapid spread caused significant damage before it was controlled.