Several shops were destroyed by fire at the Mgbuka Obosi Old Motor Spare Parts Market in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday night. The fire mainly affected three shops, including a provision store......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The cause of the fire was linked to a power surge due to a poor electrical connection in one of the shops. The incident was reported to have started around 3 am on Saturday, after electricity was restored in the area.
The chairman of the market, Samuel Ifurunwa, explained what happened. “I was called around 3 am (Saturday) that Mgbuka Obosi Market was on fire. They said one person did some electrical connection in his shop on Friday evening,” he said. “When the electricity was restored around 3 am, the connection sparked fire, which prompted the security operatives to rush to the scene and found out that it was from one of the makeshift structures which was electrified on Friday.”
According to Ifurunwa, the power surge caused the wires to spark and fall on top of the zinc roofing, which then spread to two other shops. “The security operatives said there was fuel inside the shop. That was what helped the fire to escalate,” he added.
Efforts to put out the fire were initially unsuccessful. Firefighters from Asaba and the main market were called but couldn’t stop the blaze. Eventually, the Okpoko fire service was able to extinguish the fire, but not before three makeshift structures were burned.
The man responsible for the electrical connection, Sunday Ezekwe, shared his side of the story. “I was called around 3 am that Mgbuka Obosi market is on fire. I don’t know if it was the connection I did that caused it or not because I was not there,” he said.
Ezekwe denied storing fuel in his shop, stating, “I did not store fuel in my shop; rather, there was fuel in my generator. Due to the nature of my business, I am using a generator also.”
The President General of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, Humphrey Anuna, expressed concern about the fire and pointed out that most such incidents are caused by illegal electrical connections. He also advised against placing structures under high-tension cables.
The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident. The Media and Publicity Unit of the Fire Service stated, “The Anambra State Fire Service on Saturday received a distress call at 2:00 am of a fire outbreak at Mainline of Mgbuka Obosi market. The gallant firefighters and equipment were deployed immediately to the scene. They fought and contained the fire.”
The fire service reported that the fire was brought under control by 5:30 am, saving many other shops in the market. Thankfully, no lives were lost.
The fire service advised the public to always be safety conscious, as fire can be very destructive when it is out of control.