Traders are counting their losses after shops and offices were destroyed as fire broke out at the popular Onitsha Main Market, ANAMBRA PEOPLE reports.
According to an eyewitness, the fire broke out early morning of Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in a section of the market known as White House. White House is the office of the leaders of the market, an expansive two-storey building and hosts several offices, halls for meetings in the first and second floor, while the ground floor hosts shops.
“The area mostly affected by the fire is the block of shops under the white house, where expensive lace materials are sold.”, eyewitness said.
Firefighters battled for hours to contain the inferno as some of the traders salvaged their goods while others watched in tears as the fire consumed their shops.
Spokesman of Anambra Command of the Police, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said firefighters and policemen were on ground to control the fire and prevent looting.
A video which captured the fire was shared on Facebook by Udeh Nicholas with the caption;
“Fire alert!
Part of Onitsha main market close to White House is currently on fire. Critically affected area is ogbo George (George depot)”