Anambra Gov Soludo extends sympathy to Onitsha market fire victims
The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has sympathized with victims of Onitsha main market fire.
Represented by Onyekachi Ibezim, the deputy governor of the state, Soludo referred to the fire incident as an unfortunate one, encouraging the victims to take heart.
He said he appeared in the market to examine the level of damage, affirming that the government would see to how it can assist them.
While responding, the chairman of the market, Chief Innocent Ezeoha, said the fire was triggered by power surge which began from the first floor of the 2-storey building.
He said, “The inferno started at about 4am, gutted a two-storey building housing the Onitsha Main Market Police block, Onitsha North Local Government market office, warehouses, shops and wares worth millions of naira.
“The wares, furniture and all that were in the facilities were burnt to ashes as a result of delay by fire fighters for rescue because they don’t have any truck in the market while the ones they have are grounded.
“It was on a tip-off that I was told about the fire and I had to rush to the scene.
“But damages have already been done to the structures, including fire service office before rescue team came from fire service Awka and Asaba, Delta State.”
The Informant247 earlier reported that fire on Tuesday March 21, gutted a 2-storey building which housed the Onitsha main market police station and shops where lace fabrics are sold.
It took firefighters hours to overcome the fire outbreak as some of the traders struggled to save their goods while others could not help but watch in tears as the fire consumed their property.
The spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the combined team of firefighters and police operatives were present to rescue the situation and prevent goods from being looted.
The Director, Anambra Fire Service, Mr Martin Agbili didn’t respond to his calls or return his calls when contacted to get information about the incident.
