A two-storey commercial building on Iweka Road, close to Ochanja Main Market in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was consumed by flames on Tuesday evening. Mr. Chukwudi Chiketa, the Fire Chief of the Anambra Fire Service, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

Chiketa revealed that the fire service was alerted to the blaze at around 9:35 p.m. on Tuesday, prompting an immediate response from firefighters. “The cause of the fire remains unclear, but we acted swiftly upon receiving the distress call,” he stated. “Four shops within the building were impacted, though we managed to save many others. The affected shops housed furniture materials like leather, foam, and similar goods.”

The fire crew battled the flames relentlessly, finally withdrawing from the scene at approximately 3:05 a.m. NAN observed residents and onlookers attempting to recover what they could from the charred remains of the damaged shops.