The ever-busy Ochanja Market, in the metropolitan city of Onitsha, was on fire in the early hours of today, March 5th 2021. While a full audit hasn’t been made, early reports suggest that millions of naira worth of goods have been lost to the inferno.
Two years back, the market experienced a similar fire incidence which destroyed dozens of livelihoods and rendered many out of trade. The marketplace was yet to recover from this incidence before this latest one hit it. Eyewitness accounts put the time the fire started in the wee hour of 2 am.
Onitsha Market Yet To Bounce Back One Year After Inferno
Anaedoonline.ng learned that no casualty was recorded in the incident as the fire was reportedly extinguished with the help of firefighters, traders, and sympathisers in the area.
Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed confirmed the incident, saying an investigation has commenced to ascertain the causes and other circumstances surrounding the incident.
He said: “On 5th March, 2021, at about 1:50 am, there was a fire outbreak at a plaza located at the plastic market by Amobi street Onitsha in Anambra State. Police operatives led by DPO, CPS Onitsha SP Ifeanyi Iburu quickly mobilised to the scene and cordoned off the area to prevent looting and further catastrophe.”
“Fire Service was equally contacted and they responded promptly. The fire was extinguished with the help of firefighters and other sympathizers in the area,” he added.
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“No loss of life and no injury have been reported. The investigation is ongoing to ascertain the extent of damage and circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Recall that the first incident was even more disastrous, involving a tanker that claimed the lives of a woman and her baby, and goods and properties burned to the ground. It was later revealed that five more people died as a result of the blaze, bringing the death toll to seven.
President Muhammadu Buhari shared in the pains of the victims and commiserated with families of those who lost their lives in the fire, suffered injuries or/and losses. The President said he was, most especially, saddened by the death of a mother and her child in the incident.
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