An early morning fire on Wednesday severely damaged multiple shops adjacent to the General Post Office on Ibokwu Street near Old Market Road in Onitsha, a key commercial area in Anambra State.
Reports obtained by Naijaonpoint revealed that the fire resulted in the destruction of goods, property, and equipment valued at millions of naira.
According to the Daily Post, an eyewitness and resident of one of the impacted buildings, Chidimma Ike, disclosed that the fire originated from one of the shops.
She described the incident, noting that the fire erupted early in the morning.
“We were suddenly confronted with thick smoke, and before we could comprehend the situation, the flames began to spread swiftly.
“Most of the traders and shop owners were not at their businesses today, as many were at home for Christmas.
“As the fire raged, several calls were made to the fire service, but it was residents and passersby who mobilised to rescue goods and battle the fire for several hours,” she narrated.
One of the shop owners impacted by the incident, Chinedu Nnamdi, a resident of the area, reported that he first noticed the smoke from afar and presumed it was the result of someone incinerating refuse, given that the shops were shuttered for the Christmas holiday.
“I was not aware that the smoke was from a fire engulfing our shops until I received a call from my neighbours about the incident,” Nnamdi said.