By Cajetan Mmuta
There was pandemonium at the popular Ugah Drug Market (Ogbo Ogwu) near the bridge head in the commercial town of Onitsha, Anambra state on Tuesday, following an explosion that rocked the area.

The explosion razed many goods in various shops in the market.

One of the traders who spoke under anonymity disclosed that the incident took place in the chemical section of the market with many shops destroyed.

He said the incident forced the traders to close shops.

According to him, a storey building where chemical dealers were doing their business was razed down.

“The explosion sound was heavy, putting fear in many traders in the market. We did not suspect any bomb issue. I am on my way home and many other traders, but the fire service personnel are already on the ground to handle the situation,” he said.

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Managing Director of the Anambra State Fire Service, Engr. Martin Agbili, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

He said the explosion affected a section of the Ọgbọ Ọgwụ Market, noting that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

He added that his men were currently there at the scene battling the fire.

“The extent of damages caused by the fire is also yet to be ascertained,” Agbili said.

Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, when contacted on the incident, confirmed that the explosion happened at the chemical Depot of the market but could not state the number of victims, either dead or injured.

He stated that the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) of the state command, Mr John Ogbede and his team have been deployed to the scene of the explosion to ascertain the extent of the incident.

He added that the police team and those of the State Fire Service were on the ground to ensure calm at the market.