Traders Count Loses as Fire Razes Shops at Onitsha Main Market, 3 Weeks after Drug Market Inferno

By Praise Chinecherem 

It has not been best of times for traders and owners of shops in various markets in Onitsha, Anambra State. It is more worrisome when one considers that December, which is the month of Christmas when business and commercial activities are on their peak, especially in the Southeast region of the country.

Just less than three weeks, two major markets, the Drug market also known as Ogbo Ogwu, Bridgehead market and the popular main market, all located in the commercial city were gutted by fire. While the Ogbo Ogwu market was razed by fire following chemical explosion that rocked the Science and Lab Line of the market, exactly November 8, 2022, that of the popular main market, estimated to be the largest market in West Africa also went up in flames on November 27, 2022 following power surge.

As traders and shop owners in the Ogbo Ogwu market were still trying to recuperate from the huge loses incurred in the inferno, their counterparts in the main market woke up in the morning of that fateful day, to receive their own devastating news, when majority of them have already stockpiled their shops and warehouses in preparation for Christmas and New year bomber sales.

Although no casualties were recorded in the later incident as compared to the former where about four persons were said to have lost their lives while scores sustained varying degrees of injury, goods and property worth millions of naira were reportedly lost in the main market fire.

According to Chairman of the Ogbo Ogwu market, Chinedu Ezekwike, at least cash and wares estimated to about #5 billion were lost during the chemical explosion. He said no fewer than 100 shops also reportedly collapsed as a result of the inferno that followed suit.

He said, “We have about 100 shops that collapsed during the explosion and raw cash because some traders kept their money in the safes in their shops. On the whole we lost cash and goods worth about #5 billion because there are so many millionaires in the market. Some  deal in expensive goods that one can not just easily quantify what they may have lost.

“Some of the victims are still in the hospitals and we visited them at New Hope, White Chapel, Delta hospitals and Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State. We urge the State Government, good spirited individuals and groups, including polititcians to come to the rescue of these victims as the harm done to them and the market is beyond our capacity.

“Some who have visited pledged to assist, especially politicians and we urge them to fulfill their pledge as the victims are still begging for help. The damage to the market was enormous that we need this assistance to bounce back.”

For the main market, suspected to have been caused by  power surge which emanated from one of the cosmetics shops of the one story buildings, the inferno reportedly affected over 20 shops where cosmetics, hair weavons and attachments as well as clothing were sold and stored. Men of the State and Federal fire Service had had a running battle to put out the fire which had destroyed several buildings beyond repair, while traders and residents tried to salvage what they could from their shops. As at 4pm, shop owners were still in shock as they watched their goods being razed by the inferno, particularly each time the firefighters exhausted their water.

According to an eye witness, Mr Ekene Akosa, the fire started from one of the shops along Kano Street when power was restored in the area and it escalated to other shops behind it which is along Bida Road. He regretted that all their efforts to arrest the situation proved abortive.

Another witness, resident at the Mosque along Kano Street, Mallam Ibrahim Abdulahi narrated how he went to inform security men on duty about the inferno when it started from one of the cosmetics shops. He however regretted their inability to gain entrance into the shop but for brick wall they encountered along the way.

“Immediately the fire started, I rushed to call the security men on duty. Unfortunately, they were not able to save the situation because they were not given access to the shop early enough,” he said.

Another trader, who preferred anonymity, said goods worth millions of naira, including sacramentals, wines, babies and women’s hair attachment were engulfed by the inferno. He alleged that the cause of the fire might not be unconnected with some disputes among the importers and major stakeholders at the plaza. “Property got burnt and lost to the fire incident because of the nature of the commodities being sold in that area, which helped in spreading the fire faster,” he said.

A female vendor, who simply identified herself as Esther, described the inferno as annual ritual, alleging it was ignited by some of the traders in the market who were into drug money. “I was not surprised when I heard the news of the fire incident. In fact, we should be expecting more before the year runs out. The speed at which these traders repair their shops soon after the fire will tell you something is behind it,” she said.

Deputy Superintendent Federal Fire Service Asaba Station, Mr Isaac Otuyoh said they arrived the scene of the incident and met the Anambra State fire Service men battling the fire but regretted their inability to gain access into the shops as the shops were all under lock and key which brought about the huge loss incurred.

On his part, Anambra State Fire Service Officer from Building Material Market Ogidi Mr Pascal Nwankwo said they were forced to other fire service stations following the intensity of the inferno. He however commended some youths and security officials in the area for their efforts towards ensuring the fire was controlled.

State Fire Chief, Engr Martin Agbili said his men were promptly deployed to the area immediately he was alerted, saying they were able to fight the fire to standstill after twice refilling of the fire truck.

He said, “At about 0220hrs (2.20am) of Monday 28-11-2022, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak at Kano Street behind Main Market, Onitsha. However, we deployed our fire truck and firefighters to scene of fire and they have been working there.

“The cause of the was suspected to be power surge which emanated from one of the cosmetics shops of the one story building. Due to the highly combustible nature of the materials and substances sold at that area, it contributed to the high and quick spread of the fire.

“I want to use this medium to appreciate the Federal Fire Service attached to Anambra State, the Nigeria Police Force, other Sister Agencies and the general public who assisted us during the fire fighting operations. I also want to advise members of the public to always turn off their electrical and electronic appliances before leaving the house and offices especially when it is not in use.”

Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga who also confirmed no loss of life life in the incident, blamed it on electrical upsurge from costmetics store in one of the affected buildings.

He said, “The situation is under control on the fire outbreak that occur in the early hours of today. Preliminary information shows that the cause of the fire is as a result of electrical upsurge from a costmetics store in the storey building. Our personnel are still there monitoring.

“The Command want to use the opportunity to advise members of the public to always turn off their appliances before leaving their house and offices.”

Meanwhile, Governor Chukwuma Soludo had commiserated with victims and owners of shops at the Kano Street, beside Main Market, Onitsha, following midnight fire incident that gutted the market

In a statement by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the governor expressed sadness over the incident that also left shops razed.

He said, “I commiserate with the shop owners over the inferno. As a responsive government, we are already on top of the situation, investigating the remote and immediate causes of the fire, as well as the losses incurred with a view to averting a future recurrence of the disaster.

“Efforts of our emergency responders like the state fire service contributed in extinguishing the fire and I find their efforts heartwarming.

“I encourage those affected to remain strong and resolute in the face of the extreme loss as we continue to work with relevant institutions to find lasting solutions to the perennial fire incidences across the state.”

Soludo also directed his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim in company of the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr Julius Chukwuemeka and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr Sly Ezeokenwa to convey government commiseration to the affected victims and leadership of the market.

“The Governor wishes to use this opportunity to reiterate the need for citizens to adhere to fire safety measures particularly in this season of the year,” the statement added.

On his part, Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim assured state government’s readiness to strategize with market leaders to ensure there would be no more fire outbreak in various markets in the state.

Speaking when he paid an on-the-spot visit to the scene of fire outbreak in company of other top government functionaries, Ibezim said the governor was not happy about the inferno and the loses, stressing that all hands must be on deck to prevent future occurrence.

He regretted that none of the traders have fire extinguisher in their shops, but expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost in the incident.

He said, “Government is going to make a policy and ensure that all shops in the market possess fire extinguisher. Market Leaders and security operatives must be prepared to go for training on how to prevent fire outbreak and theft in the market in case of any emergency.

Transition Committee Chairman, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Mr Emeka Orji, described the incident as unfortunate, expressing gratitude to God for prompt response of the fire service men.

The chairman Bida Street market Mr Raph Esione and his Kano Street counterpart, Mr Nonso Ihejiagwa, complained about the malfunctioning of the fire service vehicle at the market, calling for government assistance.

The commander Anambra State Fire Service Main Market Onitsha Mr Onyechi Anyaegbuna who recounted how he contacted other fire Service stations for assistance noted that their vehicle was under maintenance and pledged his determination to ensure safety of life and property at the market.