A devastating fire tore through Mgbuka Obosi Old Motor Spare Parts Market in Anambra State early Saturday morning, destroying millions of naira worth of goods and property. Three shops, including a grocery, were completely gutted in the inferno.
Eyewitnesses claim the blaze was ignited by a faulty electrical connection in one of the affected premises. Despite the valiant efforts of market security personnel and the eventual intervention of firefighters from Okpoko, the flames caused significant damage before being extinguished.
Chief Samuel Ifurunwa, the market chairman, expressed his dismay at the incident and emphasised the importance of adhering to market regulations regarding electrical work. He revealed that the individual responsible for the illegal connection has been apprehended.
One of the victims, a trader, recounted her ordeal and placed blame squarely on the shop owner who had ignored her warnings about the unsafe electrical work. The owner, however, denied any wrongdoing and attributed the fire to an earlier disconnection of his power supply.
The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident, stating that firefighters were deployed to the scene and brought the blaze under control after several hours. While no lives were lost, the financial impact on affected traders is substantial.
Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the fire and have urged market occupants to prioritize safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.