Fire Guts Anambra Market, Destroys Goods Worth N300 Million

Fire has destroyed a section of the popular Nkpor Main market in Idemili North local government area of Anambra state.

The inferno which reportedly started on Wednesday night destroyed approximately 30 shops before the traders managed to put out the fire.

While confirming the unfortunate incident, the chairman of the market, Chief Paul Okafor, said over N300 million worth of goods were damaged in the inferno.

He said the fire started from a cold room shop and extended to other nearby shops.

Okafor, whose wine shop was also destroyed, said the fire affected shops loaded with paints, curtains, gum, shoe leathers, polish, wines, hot drinks, thinners, among others.

He said, “Goods worth over N300 million were damaged in the inferno and the traders are now counting their losses. This is not good for this Yuletide.

“We call on the state and local governments and public-spirited individuals and groups to come to the aid of the affected traders to bounce back to business as soon as possible.

Also, speaking over the fire incident, a patron of Anambra Markets Amalgamated Traders Association and President of Building Materials Traders Association, Chief Jude Nwankwo, expressed his sympathy for the victims and called on government, individuals and groups to assist them.

He advised market leaders to provide fire extinguishers in their various markets to mitigate the effects of fire particularly at night.