Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
A strange midnight fire has engulfed Nkwo market Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, destroying wares worth millions of naira.
It was gathered that the fire incident occurred at about 1.20 am midnight on Wednesday, February 21, and drew the attention of the men of the Anambra State Fire Service.
The fire was also said to have affected and destroyed wares in some shops in the market, including women’s artificial hair (popularly called attachment) shop, provision shop, and plastic shop before it was quenched by the firefighters.
Confirming the incident in a statement made available to Ikengaonline, the Anambra State Fire Chief, Engr. Martin Agbili, said the fire was caused by a suspected power surge from electrical appliances in one of the shops in the market.
He further hinted that there was no loss of life recorded in the incident, adding that no fewer than four shops were gutted by fire in the market.
He said: “At about 0120hrs (1.20 am) of Wednesday, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of a fire outbreak at Nkwo Market, Umunze.
“Immediately, we deployed our fire truck and gallant firefighters to the fire scene. We fought, controlled, and extinguished with the assistance of some traders and the public who came out at that incident time.
“The cause of the fire was unknown but we suspected power surge. There was no casualty or loss of life during the fire incident, but about four (4) shops were affected, mainly provision shops, plastic shops, and attachments shop.
“Always remember to switch off your electrical and electronics appliances when they are not in use, to avoid power surge.”
