A devastating midnight fire engulfed Ahịa Mgbede, opposite the New Motor Spare Parts Market in Nnewi, Anambra State, destroying goods worth millions of naira. The inferno, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, reduced several shops to ashes, leaving business owners in despair. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire burned for several minutes before firefighters arrived, while victims and sympathizers struggled to salvage items.
One of the affected traders, identified simply as Uche, described the scene as heartbreaking, revealing that many shop owners had suffered enormous losses. He added that the cause of the fire remains unknown and recounted how a female victim, overwhelmed by the tragedy, attempted to harm herself before being consoled by onlookers.
The Anambra State Fire Service, in a statement by Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incident and detailed their swift response. Firefighting teams from Nnewi and Ogidi stations worked relentlessly to contain the blaze, which reignited later that morning. The fire service assured the public that efforts to completely extinguish the fire were ongoing, with no casualties reported.
The fire chief emphasized the importance of fire safety, urging the public to avoid actions that could trigger outbreaks and to promptly report emergencies for timely intervention. “Fire is dangerous but preventable,” the statement read, highlighting the need for vigilance to avert such tragedies in the future.
