By Omotayo Edubi
Fire has razed popular Obi Isiedo foodstuff market, Okpuno-Egbu, Umudim in Nnewi, Anambra State on New Year Day.
It engulfed over 250 makeshift shops.
Bystanders alleged that the fire started around 10:00 pm at a particular shop and later escalated to several others where the owners left their goods and some cash with which to continue business after the festivities.
According to sources over seven water tankers were assembled including other individual efforts to the scene which did not stop the fire.
A resident within the market vicinity whose house and orange tree were also touched, Pastor Chinedu Dike said that no one could explain what caused the fire.
“As you can see, my house is near the market. I came back from some functions and was taking my rest when around 9:30 pm we heard an outcry that the market was on fire.
“People started running helter skelter looking for help and water tanker suppliers were contacted who mobilized up to seven tanks of water to quench the fire to no avail.
“Fire fighters came but the fire was already advanced. Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed. My two storey building under construction was about to be consumed but I struggled to save the situation and received some bruises in the process, ” he said.
Pastor Dike alleged that between 250 and 300 shops stocked with goods were burnt . Most of the traders were said to have borrowed money from banks to stock their goods for the season.
He appealed to Anambra State governement, organizations and individuals to come to the rescue of the fire victims. He said the help would be a big relief to the victims, if it could come early.
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