Millions in goods have been lost in a fire that ravaged Umuahia. Discover how this tragedy unfolded and what is being done to support affected businesses.
Early Sunday morning, a catastrophic blaze erupted in Umuahia – the capital of Abia State. The inferno obliterated valuable commodities worth millions of naira.
Several shops stocked with essential food items were affected by the fire that started around 3:30 a.m. on Cameroun Street near Isi Gate market.
As per an official statement issued by the Abia State Fire Service, a total of seven shops were engulfed in flames and all their packaged contents including rice, beans, corns garri and dawa got destroyed completely.
The inferno was finally extinguished but unfortunately only few articles could be rescued from the afflicted stores.
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The victims are distraught and trying to find answers as the cause of the fire is still unknown. One shop owner, feeling overcome with emotion, expressed that the incident was perplexing and unusual.
He mournfully stated “I am unable to comprehend how or where this inferno began; it’s a struggle for me considering my lost merchandise due to extensive damage.”
Working together with the Federal Fire Service in Umuahia, the Abia State Fire Service promptly acted to manage and suppress the fire. Mr. Arua Nnanna, who leads as Controller and Chief Fire Officer of Abia State’s department, confirmed that two officers suffered injuries during their efforts to extinguish the flames.
Their efforts prevented the fire from spreading to nearby shops and residential buildings, despite sustaining injuries.
According to Nnanna, the delayed alert received by the fire service hindered their prompt response. He stated that upon receiving notification from Owerri Road victims, they quickly mobilized towards the location.
However, he expressed disappointment at not being informed early enough despite their proximity and availability of contact details for communication purposes.
Ongoing investigations aim to establish the cause of the fire, as noted by a senior official from the Federal Fire Service in Umuahia who emphasized the importance of prompt reporting during emergencies.
