Fire guts Anambra timber market, traders seek support

Goods estimated at millions of naira have been destroyed after fire gutted some shops at Ogbo Osisi, a timber market in Onitsha, Anambra State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident happened late on Saturday and about 28 large shops jointly shared the premises.

The Chairman, Bridgehead Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, Chinedu Ezekwike, said the fire started in one of the shops and rapidly spread to others due to the combustible materials, including machines and equipment of different types.

Ezekwike, who spoke to journalists on Sunday, said the fire was caused by machines used in smoothening finished wood products like doors and chairs.

He, however, noted that traders in the market battled to control the inferno before the arrival of men of the state fire service.

While lamenting the cost of the damage, he called on the state government to assist the victims in getting back to business.

The state chief fire officer, Martin Agbili, said he dispatched his men to the scene after getting a distress call from members of the public.

He said, “Around 7.30pm of December 12, 2022, the Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call of a heavy fire at Ogbo Osisi (timber market) Onitsha by GUO Plaza.

“Immediately, we deployed our fire truck and firefighters in the scene. We battled and controlled the fire.

“The cause of the fire is unknown. Although the fire destroyed some shops, no life was lost.

“We must know that we are at the peak of the harmattan period. Avoid anything that can cause fire at this season.”

-punch