Residents and shop owners in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, are counting heavy losses after two separate fires broke out late at night in different parts of the city, destroying shops and damaging nearby buildings.
The first fire occurred around 11:05 p.m. on Tuesday at Nwafor Plaza, close to UNIZIK Junction along Okpuno Road.
The blaze raged for several hours before firefighters were able to fully put it out in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
A second fire started shortly after midnight at Igiligi Lane, near Godwill Junction. Firefighters arrived quickly and managed to stop the flames from spreading further, although two shops were badly affected.
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No deaths were recorded in either incident, but goods and property worth millions of naira were lost. Traders at the scene described how the fire spread rapidly, leaving little time to salvage their belongings before emergency responders arrived.
Some eyewitnesses believe the first fire was caused by a power surge that happened when electricity was restored in the area.
The cause of the second fire is still being investigated.
One shop owner said she had just restocked her provision store with goods worth several million naira earlier that day, only to lose everything overnight.
Another trader, who runs a textile business, said customers’ clothes were destroyed, though neighbours helped rescue some of his equipment before the fire spread further.
The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed both incidents and said firefighters responded promptly after distress calls were received.
Officials said their quick action prevented the fires from spreading to more buildings.
The agency advised residents and business owners to install surge protectors, check their electrical wiring regularly, and report fire outbreaks immediately to reduce future risks.
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