An early morning fire outbreak occurred at Nkwo Enugu-Ukwu Market Square, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Friday, burning some shops and destroying valuables.
This latest development brings to about six incidents of fire disasters within the state in less than one week.
Some of the notable fire incidents included a petrol tanker explosion near Ozubulu LG Secretariat, which killed one person and destroyed about six adjoining shops last Friday; the burning of a factory in Nnewi on Wednesday; and an early morning fire that razed several shops in a three-storey commercial building at Nodu Market, behind Juhel Pharmaceutical Company, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
It was gathered that the Friday fire, which started at about 3 am, affected provision shops and roofing materials within the area.
The cause of the fire was attributed to sparks from an electrical surge as a result of a sudden power supply in the market.
One of the shop owners, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, blamed poor electrical connections, adding, “Some of the shop owners were called during the night, and when they rushed down, the blaze had already burnt some shops and items before it was brought under control by the men of the Anambra State Fire Service.
“The incident affected provision shops and roofing materials in the market, and the cost of damage is huge.”
Confirming the incident in a statement on Friday, the Head of Media and Publicity of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, said a crew and firefighting equipment were immediately dispatched after receiving the distress call, and the crew initiated suppression operations upon arrival.
“The Anambra State Fire Service wishes to notify the public of a fire incident that occurred in the early hours of today, November 28, 2025, at Nkwo Enugu-Ukwu Market Square, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“A distress call was received at 3:43 am, reporting a fire outbreak within the market vicinity. Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene and initiated suppression operations upon arrival.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was triggered by sparks from an electrical appliance as a result of a power surge. The incident affected provision shops and roofing materials within the area. Owing to the swift, coordinated, and effective response of the Anambra State Fire Service, the fire was promptly contained, with destruction confined to a single shop.
“No casualties were recorded during the incident. Firefighting operations were concluded with a withdrawal time of 4:46am on the same day. The Anambra State Fire Service strongly urges all shop owners and residents within the market to conduct immediate and comprehensive electrical inspections to prevent future occurrences of similar incidents,” Chiketa said.
PUNCH Online on November 21 reported that an early morning fire destroyed several shops in a three-storey commercial building at Nodu Market, behind Juhel Pharmaceutical Company, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Credit: Punch