Fire on Wednesday morning, razed some shops near General Post Office at Ibokwu Street, by Old Market Road, Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra.
Gatekeepers News reports that goods and property, including equipment worth millions of naira, were destroyed in the fire.
According to an eyewitness and a house owner in one of the affected houses identified as Mrs Chidimma Ike; the inferno began in one of the shops.
She noted that the fire was put off through collective efforts of residents who saw the thick flames as it spread to other shops and passers-by, adding that no firefighter came to the scene despite several calls to the state fire service.
She said, “The fire started from one of the shops early this morning, as we suddenly observed thick smoke and before we knew what was going on, it started raging.”
“Most of the traders and shop owners did not come for business today as they were at home for Christmas.”
“As the fire raged, several calls were made to the fire service but it was residents and passers-by that mobilised to rescue goods and battle the fire for several hours.”
One of the affected shop owners, Mr Chinedu Nnamdi who is also a resident in the area, said he saw smoke from afar and thought somebody was burning some waste because the shops were closed for Christmas celebration.
