The Anambra State Fire Service has averted a major fire disaster following a midnight inferno at Ozubulu Street, off Bida Road, Onitsha.
According to the Fire Service, a distress call was received at about 2:24 a.m., prompting the immediate deployment of firefighters to a building at No. 91 Ozubulu Street where cartons and other highly combustible materials were engulfed in flames.
The firefighters battled the blaze for nearly four hours, successfully containing it and preventing it from spreading to nearby shops and buildings in the densely populated commercial area. The operation ended at about 6:05 a.m. after officials confirmed there was no risk of the fire reigniting.
The Fire Service said no lives were lost, no one was trapped, and no injuries were recorded during the incident.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations underway.
The agency has urged traders and property owners to observe fire safety measures, especially in markets and storage facilities where flammable materials are stored, while residents commended the firefighters for their swift response, which helped prevent extensive damage.
