Merchants tally damages after blaze destroys Anambra pipe trading hub

Traders and property owners at the Head Bridge Market in Onitsha are reeling from significant financial losses after a devastating fire ravaged the Plumbing Materials Section, resulting in the destruction of goods valued at millions of naira.

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The blaze, which erupted around midnight on Saturday, prompted a swift response from firefighters deployed from both Anambra and Delta states to contain the inferno and prevent further damage.

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The market, situated along the bustling Onitsha-Awka Expressway near the River Niger Bridge, was filled with distraught traders on Sunday, many of whom lamented the loss of decades' worth of accumulated goods and investments.

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Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, visited the scene to assess the extent of the damage and subsequently ordered an investigation into the incident to determine its cause.

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During his visit, traders were seen attempting to salvage what remained of their goods, while others sifted through the debris to evaluate the full extent of their losses, with some struggling to come to terms with the scale of the destruction.

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Fortunately, no casualties were reported, although the official cause of the fire had yet to be determined as of the latest available information, with some traders speculating that excessive heat may have been a contributing factor.

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Eyewitness accounts indicate that the fire raged unchecked for several minutes before the arrival of firefighters, with one trader, Chris Okorie, recounting that the blaze started around midnight and spread rapidly before many traders could respond.

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Ijeoma, another victim of the fire, described the devastation she witnessed upon arriving at the market in the morning to find her shop and warehouse completely destroyed, leaving her with significant financial losses.

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A trader identified as Uche described the incident as devastating, noting that some victims had lost their entire livelihoods, with one trader reportedly collapsing in shock upon seeing the destruction of his shop and requiring revival by sympathizers.

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Commissioner Orutugu expressed his sympathy for the affected traders during his visit and assured them of the command's support in securing the area, while also urging traders to adhere strictly to fire safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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Preliminary findings suggested that the fire may have been linked to heat generated from stored inflammable materials and possible non-compliance with safety standards, according to Commissioner Orutugu, who commended the swift response of emergency responders in preventing further spread of the fire.

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The police chief was accompanied during his visit by the Divisional Police Officer of Head Bridge Division, CSP Onyinaya Uche, and other stakeholders, who collectively assessed the damage and offered support to the affected traders.

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Caretaker Committee Chairman of the market, Chinedu Ezekwike, confirmed the incident and praised the prompt response of firefighters in mitigating the damage, while the Anambra State Fire Service described the incident as severe, with significant property destroyed and some goods salvaged.

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As of Sunday, firefighters were still present at the scene, continuing to conduct damping operations to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and prevent any potential re-ignition.