A late-night fire outbreak has gutted the plumbing section of a major market in Onitsha, destroying goods worth millions of naira and disrupting commercial activities.
Gatekeepers News the fire broke out around 11:55 p.m. on Friday at the Bridge Head Market along the Onitsha–Awka Expressway and continued into the early hours of Saturday.
Eyewitnesses said the flames spread rapidly across the affected section, leaving traders with little time to salvage their wares due to the intensity of the blaze. Many shop owners reportedly lost goods as efforts to recover items proved unsuccessful.
Emergency responders were later mobilised to the scene, and firefighters were able to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby sections of the market, including the plywood and drug areas.
The chairman of the market’s caretaker committee, Chinedu Ezekwike, commended the swift intervention of the fire service and other stakeholders, noting that their response helped limit further damage.
Authorities said the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, while affected traders are counting their losses and appealing for support from the government and well-meaning individuals.
