Cajetan Mmuta
The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has commiserated with victims and owners of some shops that were burnt at the Kano Street end of the Main Market, Onitsha, the commercial town of the state.
The fire incident happened at about 1:00 am on Monday in the market and goods worth several billions of naira were destroyed in the inferno.
The cause of the fire which reportedly started around midnight is yet to be ascertained.
Soludo expressed sadness over the incident that left shops and goods razed and the losses incurred
Press Secretary to the governor Mr Christian Anytime in a statement to newsmen in Awka the state capital said Soludo commiserated with the victims of the fire disaster and express sadness over the matter.
“I commiserate with the shop owners over the inferno. As a responsive government, we are already on top of the situation, investigating the remote and immediate causes of the fire, as well as the losses incurred with a view to averting a future recurrence of the disaster”, Soludo said.
However, one of the traders identified as Mr John Okoli said two blocks of shops within the section of the market were razed by the fire.
He said efforts by firefighters who arrived at the scene shortly to put out the fire have not been successful as the fire continues raging.
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The Director of State Fire Service, Engr Martin Agbili, who confirmed the incident said his men were promptly deployed to the area immediately after he was alerted.
According to him,: “At about 0220hrs (2.20 am) of Monday 28-11-2022, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak at Kano Street behind Main Market, Onitsha.”
“However, we deployed our fire truck and firefighters to the scene of the fire and they have been working there. They have gone for the refilling of the fire truck twice.”
The governor said, “Efforts of our emergency responders like the state fire service contributed in extinguishing the fire and I find their efforts heartwarming.
“I encourage those affected to remain strong and resolute in the face of the extreme loss as we continue to work with relevant institutions to find lasting solutions to the perennial fire incidences across the state”, the Governor stressed
The Governor further directed the State Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim in the company of the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr Julius Chukwuemeka and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr Sly Ezeokenwa to convey government sympathy to the affected victims and leadership of the market
He reiterated the need for citizens to adhere to fire safety measures particularly in this season of the year.
