…“The fire affected provision shops and roofing materials, and the losses are enormous,” the shop owner added.
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | An early-morning fire broke out on Friday at the Nkwo Enugu-Ukwu Market Square in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, destroying several shops and valuables.
This incident brings the number of fire outbreaks recorded in the state in less than a week to about six.
Recent fire disasters in Anambra include last Friday’s petrol tanker explosion near the Ozubulu Local Government Secretariat, which killed one person and destroyed about six nearby shops; Wednesday’s factory fire in Nnewi; and another early-morning inferno that gutted several shops in a three-storey commercial building at Nodu Market, behind Juhel Pharmaceutical Company, in Awka South LGA.
Friday’s inferno, which reportedly started around 3am, affected provision shops and roofing materials in the area. The blaze was said to have resulted from an electrical surge following a sudden restoration of power in the market.
A shop owner who spoke anonymously blamed the incident on poor electrical connections. “Some of the shop owners were alerted during the night, but by the time they arrived, the inferno had already destroyed some shops and goods before firefighters from the Anambra State Fire Service managed to bring it under control,” the source said.
“The inferno affected provision shops and roofing materials, and the losses are enormous,” the shop owner added.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Friday, the Head of Media and Publicity of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, said a firefighting crew and equipment were immediately deployed after the distress call was received. He said the team commenced suppression operations upon arrival.
Chiketa advised traders and residents in the market to carry out thorough electrical checks to prevent similar occurrences.
“The Anambra State Fire Service wishes to notify the public of a fire incident that occurred in the early hours of today, November 28, 2025, at Nkwo Enugu-Ukwu Market Square,” he stated.
“A distress call came in at 3:43am reporting a fire outbreak. Firefighters were promptly dispatched and began suppression on arrival. Preliminary findings show the inferno was triggered by sparks from an electrical appliance following a power surge. The incident affected provision shops and roofing materials, but due to the swift and coordinated efforts of our crew, the destruction was confined to a single shop. No casualties were recorded. Firefighting operations ended with a withdrawal time of 4:46am.”
He further urged shop owners to switch off electrical appliances when not in use, especially when closing for business.
Similarly, on November 21, an early-morning fire destroyed several shops in a three-storey commercial building at Nodu Market, behind Juhel Pharmaceutical Company in Awka South LGA.
The inferno, which caused losses running into millions of naira, was also brought under control by the Anambra State Fire Service.
No casualties were recorded, and although the cause is yet to be confirmed, preliminary reports suggest the inferno may have started after an occupant fell asleep while cooking.
