A devastating fire has engulfed sections of the Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, destroying goods worth millions of naira and leaving traders in anguish.
The inferno broke out at 6:20 AM on Friday, originating from a building on Ifejika Street, by Sokoto Road before spreading to nearby structures. Eyewitnesses described the fire as “ferocious,” rapidly consuming warehouses and shops filled with imported goods, fabrics, electronics, and essential commodities.
The Anambra State Fire Service responded swiftly, deploying multiple teams to contain the blaze. Chukwudi Chiketa, Head of the Media and Publicity Unit, confirmed the distress call and urged residents to remain calm. “Our firefighters are on the ground battling to bring the situation under control,” he stated.
Traders and residents, armed with buckets of water and fire extinguishers, joined efforts to salvage what they could from the wreckage. However, the intensity of the flames and the congested nature of the market made rescue efforts difficult.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, speculation is rife, with some traders attributing it to an electrical surge, while others suspect arson. Authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation.
This disaster adds to the long history of fire outbreaks at Onitsha Main Market, one of West Africa’s largest commercial hubs, raising fresh concerns about fire safety regulations and emergency response capabilities in Nigerian markets.
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