A fierce blaze tore through sections of the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State, Nigeria, leaving destruction in its wake. The fire, which ignited around 6:20 a.m. in one of the market’s buildings, quickly spread to an adjacent structure. As of now, the origin of the inferno remains unknown.

Eyewitnesses reported a chaotic scene as residents, passersby, and firefighters worked tirelessly to rescue goods and property from the engulfed buildings. Chukwudi Chiketa, Head of the Media and Publicity Unit for the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the incident in a brief statement on Friday. He called for calm among residents and assured the public that efforts to extinguish the flames were underway.

“The Anambra State Fire Service is actively responding at the scene of the fire outbreak on Ifejika Street, near Sokoto Road, Onitsha,” Chiketa said. “We received the emergency call at 6:20 a.m. today, and our firefighting team was dispatched immediately.”

He emphasized that the situation is being managed and urged the public to stay composed as the firefighters work to bring the blaze under control.