Three separate fire outbreaks in parts of Anambra State have destroyed property and goods worth millions of naira, affecting a commercial bank, a bookshop and a building housing several shops.
The incidents occurred between Monday and Tuesday in Onitsha and Awka, according to the Anambra State Fire Service.
The affected locations included Keystone Bank along Port Harcourt Road in Fegge, Onitsha; a bookshop at No. 3 Venin Ezeani Street, Awada, Onitsha; and a one-storey commercial building on Ifite Road, Amaenyi, Awka.
The state fire chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incidents on Wednesday, saying firefighters responded promptly and prevented the flames from spreading to adjoining buildings. No deaths or injuries were recorded.
According to Chiketa, the fire at Keystone Bank was reported at about 9:08 a.m. on Monday. Firefighters who arrived at the scene found that the blaze had affected only the bank’s network equipment room.
He attributed the incident to a power surge and said firefighters successfully contained the fire before it could spread to other parts of the bank or nearby structures.
The crew reportedly left the scene at about 11:29 a.m. after confirming that there was no further risk of escalation.
At the Ifite Road commercial building in Amaenyi, Awka, the fire was reported at about 12:05 a.m. on Monday. The building contained about 10 shops, two of which were affected by the blaze.
The fire damaged roofing materials, sections of the walls and goods stored in the affected shops. The fire service suspected that an electrical fault, possibly caused by an electric iron that had been left plugged in and overheated, triggered the incident.
Firefighters battled the blaze until it was fully extinguished and secured the scene before leaving.
The third incident occurred at about 7:35 a.m. at the bookshop building on Venin Ezeani Street in Awada, Onitsha.
Firefighters were dispatched to the location after receiving a distress call and worked to contain the fire. However, the cause of the blaze had not been determined as of the time of the report.
Chiketa urged residents, business owners and property owners across the state to take basic fire-prevention measures seriously.
He advised the public to avoid leaving electrical appliances unattended, regularly check electrical installations and report fire outbreaks promptly to enable firefighters to respond before the situation worsens.
Despite the extent of the property damage, the fire service said it was relieved that no lives were lost in any of the three incidents.
