It has not been the best of times for traders and shop owners in two of the major markets in the commercial hub of the South East, Onitsha.
Just as traders across the country were looking forward to a favourable season of selling for Christmas and the New Tear festivities, tragedy struck one after the other at the Drug (of ‘Ogbo Ogwu’) Bridgehead market and the popular main market.
First,it was the Drug market that was razed following a chemical explosion at the Science and Lab Line section of the market on November 8, 2022.
Nineteen days later, it was the turn of the main market, which also went up in flames following a suspected power surge.
Gone with the fire were goods estimated at billions of naira and which had been stockpiled in shops and warehouses for sale ahead of Christmas and the New Year.
Four lives were lost in the first incident while scores of others sustained varying degrees of injury.
No casualties were recorded in the second incident which occurred at about 1am on November 27.
The Chairman Ogbo Ogwu market, Chinedu Ezekwike, estimated losses incurred at the market at about N5billion. No fewer than 100 shops were brought down by te explosion,he said.
He said: “We had about 100 shops that collapsed during the explosion and raw cash because some traders kept their money in the safes in their shops. On the whole we lost cash and goods worth about N5billion because there are so many millionaires in the market. Some deal in expensive goods that one cannot just easily quantify what they may have lost.
“Some of the victims are still in the hospital and we visited them at New Hope, White Chapel, Delta hospitals and Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State. We urge the State Government, individuals and groups, including politicians to come to the rescue of these victims as the harm done to them and the market is beyond our capacity.
“Some who have visited pledged to assist them, especially politicians, and we urge them to fulfill their pledges as the victims are still begging for help. The damage to the market was enormous that we need this assistance to bounce back.”
In the case of the main market, over 20 shops stored with cosmetics, hair attachments and clothing were burnt. Men of the State and Federal Fire Services battled for several hours to subdue the two fires , while traders and passersby tried to salvage what they could from the burning shops.
The traders were left fuming with anger and cursing during the fire- fighting each time it appeared the fire fighters had exhausted their water.
An eye witness, Ekene Akosa, said the main market fire started from one of the shops on Kano Street when power was restored in the area.In no time it spread to other shops on Bida Road while all efforts to contain it proved abortive.
Another eye witness, Mallam Ibrahim Abdulahi who lived close to the marker said he personally went to inform security men on duty about the inferno when it started from one of the cosmetics shops. “Immediately the fire started, I rushed to call the security men on duty. Unfortunately, they were not able to save the situation because they were not given access to the shop early enough,” he said.
Another trader, who preferred anonymity, said goods worth millions of naira, including sacramentals, wines, babies and women’s hair attachment were engulfed by the inferno. He alleged that the cause of the fire might not be unconnected with some disputes among the importers and major stakeholders at the plaza. “Property got burnt and lost to the fire incident because of the nature of the commodities being sold in that area, which helped in spreading the fire faster,” he said.
A female food vendor, who simply identified herself as Esther, said fire tragedy has become an annual ritual in the market.
Deputy Superintendent of the Federal Fire Service, Asaba Station, Mr Isaac Otuyoh said his men arrived the scene of the incident and met their counterparts from the Anambra State Fire Service already battling the fire but regretted their inability to gain access into the shops as they had been locked.
An official of the Anambra State Fire Service Officer , Pascal Nwankwo said they had to invite other fire service stations following the intensity of the inferno. He commended some youths and security officials in the area for their in bringing the fire under control.
The State Fire Chief, Engr Martin Agbili said his men were able to quench the fire after refilling their truck twice.
He said: “At about 0220hrs (2.20am) of Monday 28-11-2022, the Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of fire outbreak at Kano Street behind Main Market, Onitsha. We deployed our fire truck and firefighters to the scene.
“The cause of the fire is suspected to be power surge which emanated from one of the cosmetics shops of a one story building. The highly combustible nature of the materials and substances sold in that area contributed to the high and quick spread of the fire.”
He hailed the Federal Fire Service attached to Anambra State, the Nigeria Police Force and other sister agencies and the general public who “assisted us during the fire fighting operations.”
He also advised the public to always turn off their electrical and electronic appliances before leaving the house and offices especially when such appliances are not in use.”
Governor Chukwuma Soludo commiserated with victims and owners of the burnt shops .
In a statement through his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the governor expressed sadness over the incident ,saying: “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.
“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.”
Soludo also directed his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim in company of the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr Julius Chukwuemeka and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr Sly Ezeokenwa to convey government commiseration to the affected victims and leadership of the market.
“The Governor wishes to use this opportunity to reiterate the need for citizens to adhere to fire safety measures particularly in this season of the year,” the statement added.
On his part, Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim pledged government’s readiness to strategize with market leaders to ensure there would be no more fire outbreak in markets in the state. Speaking when he paid an on-the-spot visit to the scene of fire outbreak in company of other top government functionaries, Ibezim said the governor was not happy about the inferno and the losses, stressing that all hands must be on the deck to prevent future occurrence.
He regretted that none of the traders had fire extinguisher in their shops, but expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost in the incident. He said: “Government is going to make a policy and ensure that all shops in the market possess fire extinguisher. Market leaders and security operatives must be prepared to go for training on how to prevent fire outbreak and theft in the market in case of any emergency.
Ibezim said a meeting between the state government and market leaders would be convened to seek a permanent solution, called on traders and business individuals to insure their businesses against emergencies.
“If it means every trader at main market to have fire extinguishers in their shops, we will put it as a law and enforce compliance. An immediate emergency training must be conducted,” he said.
“How many traders have insurance? I have always asked this question. Insurance helps to cushion effect of this nature. This is the kind of structure we want to lay and we will get there. We will expose you to all these insights because this is what the government has come to do.”
Transition Committee Chairman, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Mr Emeka Orji, described the incident as unfortunate and expressed gratitude to God for prompt response of the fire service men.
The chairman Bida Street market Mr Raph Esione and his Kano Street counterpart, Mr Nonso Ihejiagwa, complained about the malfunctioning of the fire service vehicle at the market, calling for government assistance.
The commander, State Fire Service Main Market Onitsha, Onyechi Anyaegbuna who recounted how he contacted other fire Service stations for assistance noted that their vehicle was under maintenance and pledged his determination to ensure safety of life and property at the market.
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