Fire destroys goods, property worth N300m in Anambra

Goods and property worth over N300 million were destroyed in a fire outbreak in Onitsha, Anambra, on Friday, witnesses said.

The fire, which burnt down a two-storey building at No. 9 Nweje Lane in Odoakpu area Onitsha, started around 1.30 p.m.

Reports showed that the building and goods belonged to one Chief Gibson Chukwujindu, who is the Director of Gibson Interlink Nigeria Limited, a known dealer in tailoring and clothing materials.

The Chief Operating Officer, Okpoko Fire Service Station, near Onitsha, Mr Ikechukwu Nzegwu, told www.odogwublog.com that the only occupant of the building escaped unhurt but that the entire structure was reduced to rubbles.

“We were able to save a three-storey building by its side, belonging to a widow, Mrs Theresa Ekwunife, which had already caught fire as well as other buildings in front of the burnt and collapsed one,’’ Nzegwu said.

Ekwunife said that some people contacted the Onitsha Main Market Fire Fighting Station but the officers did not come because they complained that their vehicle was grounded.

She appealed to the Anambra Government to equip the fire service to enable the agency to effectively do its work.

“I must not fail to thank Okpoko Fire Service Station officials for a job well done,’’ she added.

Efforts to speak with the owner of the property and the goods, Chukwujindu, failed but one of his workers said goods estimated at N300 million were lost in the incident.