By Tola Gbadamosi
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Goods worth multi-million naira were on Tuesday destroyed by an early morning inferno which occurred at the White House section of the Onitsha Market, Anambra State.
The section, popularly called “Gbongboro”, serves as a warehouse and also where lace and other clothing materials are being sold and is located behind the market.
No one could ascertain the actual cause of the fire as of press time.
The traders were seen running helter skelter as they tried to salvage the remaining of their goods while calling for the men of fire service.
A source, Mr Barth Ifediora, who raised alarm, said the fire broke out early morning of Tuesday, in a section of the market known as White House.
An eyewitness also said, “The fire started at the White House where they sell lace materials. The place was supposed to be a motor park and an emergency exit but the people blocked it with illegal structures through the approval of some government agencies.
“Even when the fire service will come, there might not be entry point where they could enter easily to start battling the fire, even the traders could not enter to salvage their items and this has made the fire to continue to rage.”
The state fire service boss, Martin Agbili, could not be reached for reactions as of the time of filing this report at about 9:20am as the fire continued to rage.
When contacted, the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said, “The details are still sketchy, but situation is being monitored and firefighters operatives and police are there. Other details shall be communicated.”
In a similar incident, a popular store in Akure, known as Uncle George where they sell baby things along Arakale road was razed by fire in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to report, the fire started destroyed goods worth millions of naira.
Although no life was lost as fire fighters were on ground to put out the fire.
