Fire Guts Umunze Market, Shops, Wares Destroyed

By Ikeugonna Eleke

No fewer than twelve blocks of shops were on Friday, November18, gutted by fire in Nkwo Umunze Market, Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, but no life was reportedly lost in the fire which started around 6:16am.

It was gathered that the fire emanated from New Life Line and affected about 8 blocks of shops and about 4 batcher shops.

Though the cause of the inferno was yet to be ascertained as at press time, eyewitnesses said goods worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the inferno.

Anambra Fire Chief, Engr Martin Agbili, confirmed no loss of life in the incident, while not disclosing the cause of the fire.

He said, ‘At about 0616hrs, the Anambra State Fire Service, through Mr. Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, received a distress call of fire outbreak at Nkwo Umunze Market, Umunze, Orumba South LGA, Anambra State.

‘Immediately, we deployed our f0irefighters and fire fighting truck to the scene of fire. The fire outbreak which emanated from New Life Line, affected about 8 blocks of shops and about 4 batcher shops.

‘There was no loss of life and the cause of the fire outbreak is unknown as no one knew how the fire started.’

Agbili commended those who controlled and fought the fire before the arrival of firefighters, just as he appreciated former Deputy Governor of the State, Chief Emeka Sibudu, who visited the scene to sympathize with victims and encourage the firefighters.