Several shops and properties were destroyed following a fire outbreak at Iweka Road, near Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.
News Band understand that the inferno, which started around 8:30pm on Tuesday, March 25, occurred after traders had closed for the day, leaving their shops locked.
While speaking on the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Fire Service said the unit received a distress call at about 9.40pm.
Led by the State fire chief, Chukwudi Chiketa said the service deployed its officers to the scene of the incident immediately it got the distress call.
He said, “Immediately, a crew of firemen and firefighting equipment were deployed to the scene of the fire outbreak. They fought gallantly and contained the incident, stopping the fire from further escalation.
“The incident affected four shops, and many others were saved in a two-storey building. These shops contained furniture materials such as leather, foam and others,” Chiketa said.