Midnight fire razes property worth over N50 Million in Onitsha

www.odogwublog.com reports that tears flowed freely yesterday in Onitsha as midnight fire razed property worth over fifty millions naira at 96 Ziks Avenue by Okigwe Street, Fegge, Onitsha South local government area ,Anambra state. The building is comprising of over 24 rooms with warehouses and workshops especially Upholstery workshop and showroom.
The fire which started by 1am burnt the entire house including vehicles , keke Napep and other expensive facilities.
A victim and witness who gave his name as Mr. Anyaoha said a spark of fire probably from electricity allegedly started the fire before people started shouting fire! Fire! but for two hours none of the fire fighting men invited came to their rescue.
He said when the fire started, beggars living in the compound took to their heels while other residents turn themselves to local fire fighting men without fire equipments and sustained injuries as they were trying to put out the fire.
He expressed sadness that the fire service men from main market refused to come as they claimed that their vehicles had broken down and they are incapable of putting out the fire without vehicle.
” The arrival of police patrol team from Fegge police station salvaged the situation as they called Okpoko fire service men who immediately responded with the fire fighting equipments and aid in quelling the fire’’, he narrated.
Mr Anyaoha on behalf of the victims called on the state government to look into ugly excuses always given by fire fighting men at main market Onitsha. He appealed for assistance to aid of the victims of the fire disaster.
Another eye witness and a legal practitioner, Mr. Charles Ogugua expressed dismay on the attitude of one of the tenants who sub-contracted the workshop to beggars. He decried that efforts made to evacuate them proved abortive.
Mr Ogugua condemned in its entirety the behavior of fire fighting men in Onitsha main market who would have salvaged the situation and save the level of damages incurred in the inferno.

Reacting to the situation, the member representing Onitsha one constituency in the State House Assembly, Mr. Patrick Aniuno condemned the lapses of fire fighting men in Onitsha main market for refusal to attend to assist in putting out the fire disaster.
The Divisional Police Officer, Fegge police station, SP Rabiu Garba thanked God he was able to mobilize a patrol team of policemen who ensured that there was no loot around the houses closer to the inferno.
According to him, when fire fighting men from Onitsha main market refused to come, he was the one who called Okpoko fire service men to come to the aid of the fire victims.