Midnight fire guts shops near Anambra market

FILE: fire outbreak

Some lock-up shops with goods have been burnt in a fire outbreak that occurred along 108 Zik’s Avenue, beside St. Mary’s Catholic Church, near Eke Awka Market in Awka, Anambra State capital.

The cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained, but it was gathered that the incident occurred at about 1.30am on Wednesday.

An eyewitness in the area said the fire emanated from one of the shops with residents seeing thick flames as the fire was spreading to other shops, before men of the state fire service arrived at the scene.

The source said the firemen battled for about three hours to put off the fire and prevented it from escalating to other shops, including a nearby petrol station and kerosene substation and other neighbouring structures.

Confirming the incident in a statement, the state Fire Service Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, said firefighters were deployed immediately to the scene of the incident and they battled to contain the fire.

He said, “The Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call at 01:26 hours of today, about a raging fire outbreak at the lock-up shops along 108 Zik’s Avenue, beside St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Awka.

“The Anambra firefighters were immediately deployed to the scene of fire, they fought and contained the fire. About two shops were affected.

“The firemen were able to put off the fire and prevented if from escalating into other shops, including a nearby PMS and kerosene substation and other neighbouring structures.

“As at the time of this update, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. No life was lost.

“The firefighters left the scene at 04:01 hours and returned to the station at 04:21 hours. Remember, Fire kills, but you can prevent it. Be safety conscious.”

On May 20, one person died, and several properties were damaged when a fire broke out at the Bishop Crowther Memorial Seminary School, Awka, Anambra State capital.