Mysterious Fire Razes Onitsha Market, Destroys Goods Worth About N100m

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Onitsha

Parts of the popular Ose Okwuodu market in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anmbra state on Saturday razed by Mysterious fire, destroying over three hundred shops with goods valued about N100 million naira.

Though, the cause of the inferno is yet to be ascertained, but an eye witness said it started at about 3 am this morning.

Mr Sunday Ewulum, Chairman, of the Market, who conducted newsmen round the affected stores, had expressed shock over the ugly incident.

He narrated how he got a distress call from the security men stationed at the market around 3 am, and how the fire service men in the market were nowhere to be found as the fire raged.

Ewulum, said it was after several calls that they got intervention of fire service men from Okpoko Ogbaru and Main Market Onitsha as well as the traders who battled for hours to put off the fire.

The chairman, listed affected sections of the market to include the Tailoring Material Line, Fishing Material, Local Gin, Second hand clothes and material, as well as Rice and Yams sections.

He however, appealed to the State Government and State Emergency Management Agency to come to the assistance of the affected victims, as they have no other source of livelihood.