In the Anambra state local government area of Idemili North, close to the commercial metropolis of Onitsha, a portion of the well-known Nkpor Main market has caught fire.
It was learned that the fire started early on Wednesday morning.
Additionally, our correspondent learned that the traders managed to contain the fire before the state fire service personnel arrived, even though the fire had already destroyed no fewer than thirty stores.
Chief Paul Okafor, the market’s chairman, confirmed the occurrence to reporters in his office, stating that the fire originated in a shop with a cool room and quickly spread to other shops in the vicinity.
He continued by saying that the fire damaged products valued at about N300 million.
The market leader, who also had his own wine shop completely destroyed, claimed that stores stocked with paints, drapes, gum, shoe leathers, shoe polish, wines, hot beverages, and thinners were among the items damaged in the fire.
The market leader bemoaned the fact that despite numerous phone calls to the state fire department, no one answered, and firefighters did not arrive until the traders mobilized and extinguished the fire.
In order to service the three big markets nearby, he consequently urged the state administration to put some firefighting vehicles beneath the flyover bridge at Nkpor Main Market.
He said, “We call on the state and local governments and public-spirited individuals and groups to come to the aid of the affected traders to bounce back to business as soon as possible.
“Goods worth over N300 million were damaged in the inferno and the traders are now counting their losses. This is not good for this Yuletide.”
In his sympathy message to the traders, a patron of Anambra Markets Amalgamated Traders Association and President of Building Materials Traders Association, Chief Jude Nwankwo, expressed his sympathy for the victims and also called on government, individuals and groups to assist the victims.
Nwankwo suggested that market leaders should provide fire extinguishers in their various markets to mitigate the effects of fire particularly at night.
The state Fire Chief, Martin Agbili, could not be reached for comment as calls to his telephone line indicated that it switched off.
