A fire broke out late Saturday night at the Mgbuka Obosi Old Motor Spare Parts Market in Anambra State, destroying goods and property valued in the millions.
The blaze primarily affected three shops, including a provision store which is believed to have been caused by a power surge linked to faulty electrical connections in one of the affected shops.
Chief Samuel Ifurunwa, the market chairman, reported that he was notified of the incident around 3 a.m. on Sunday, prompting immediate action from market security personnel.
Ifurunwa explained that the fire ignited when electricity was restored, leading to a spark from a poorly installed connection made the previous evening.
This sparked a fire that quickly spread to nearby shops, exacerbated by the presence of fuel in one of the stores. Despite the security team's efforts to extinguish the flames, the situation escalated, necessitating the involvement of the Okpoko fire service.
The individual responsible for the illegal electrical connection has been apprehended. Ifurunwa emphasized the market's policy that only authorized electricians are permitted to work within the premises, warning that violators would face legal consequences.
One shop owner, Sunday Ezekwe, who made the connection, expressed uncertainty about the cause of the fire, stating he was not present when it occurred. He mentioned that he had previously been disconnected from the power supply and had sought assistance to reconnect.
The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed that firefighters were dispatched promptly after receiving a distress call at 2 a.m. They managed to control the fire after several hours, ensuring that many other shops in the market were spared from damage.
Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.
