A devastating fire erupted on Tuesday night at Iweka Road, near Ochanja market in Onitsha, Anambra State, destroying shops and goods valued at millions of naira. The blaze began around 8:30 PM, rapidly consuming multiple shops and reducing property to ashes. The origin of the fire has yet to be determined, with initial reports indicating it burned unchecked for some time, as many traders had already left for the day.
The Anambra State Fire Service received an emergency call at approximately 9:40 PM on Tuesday, March 25. According to Chukwudi Chiketa, the state fire chief, a team of firefighters and equipment was immediately dispatched to the scene. “Our crew responded swiftly to the distress call about the fire outbreak at Iweka Road, close to Ochanja Market,” Chiketa confirmed on Wednesday. “They fought tirelessly and successfully contained the flames, preventing further devastation.”
The fire impacted four shops within a two-storey building, which stored flammable furniture materials such as leather and foam. These items fueled the inferno, leading to significant losses. However, the firefighters’ efforts spared several other shops from destruction. The team remained on-site until 3:05 AM Wednesday, ensuring the situation was fully under control before withdrawing.
