The incident, which occurred in the commercial centre of Anambra State, was brought under control by the Anambra State Fire Service after emergency responders were alerted in the early hours of Thursday.
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The fire service confirmed that no lives were lost, no person was trapped and no injuries were recorded during the incident.
The Onitsha building fire reportedly affected an area where flammable materials, including cartons and other stored items, were kept. However, officials said the exact cause of the blaze remains unknown and is currently under investigation.
Eyewitnesses said the fire burned for several minutes before firefighters arrived at the scene. They added that emergency responders faced challenges accessing the location due to the terrain and poor visibility.
A visit to the scene showed some affected business owners attempting to recover items from the damaged building as they assessed their losses.
Confirming the incident in a statement, Head of Media and Publicity of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, said the service received a distress call at 2:24am and immediately deployed firefighters and equipment to the location.
“The Anambra State Fire Service responded promptly to a fire outbreak involving flammable materials, mainly cartons, at No. 91 Ozubulu Street, by Bida Road, Onitsha, in the early hours of Thursday,” the statement read.
Chiketa said the quick intervention of firefighters helped to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring buildings and properties.
“Through their swift and professional intervention, the fire was successfully brought under control, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings and properties,” he added.
According to the fire service, firefighting operations were completed and the crew left the scene at 6:05am after ensuring the situation was stabilised.
The agency urged residents and business owners to prioritise fire safety, especially when storing combustible materials, and encouraged people to report emergencies promptly to reduce the risk of extensive damage.
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The incident adds to ongoing concerns about fire prevention in commercial areas, where crowded spaces, stored goods and limited access routes can increase the difficulty of emergency response.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
