Fire ravages bank, bookshop, shops in Anambra

Property valued in the millions of naira was destroyed in three distinct fire outbreaks across Anambra State, Nigeria, impacting a commercial bank, a bookshop, and a multi-shop commercial building. The incidents, which took place between Monday and Tuesday, affected Keystone Bank along Port Harcourt Road in Fegge, Onitsha, a bookshop on Venin Ezeani Street in Awada, Onitsha, and a one-storey commercial building housing 10 shops on Ifite Road in Amaenyi, Awka.

Eyewitnesses described thick smoke emanating from the bank's network area before the fire spread, requiring the intervention of firefighters. Security personnel cordoned off the area to maintain order until the blazes were contained. The state’s fire service chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incidents, noting that firefighters responded promptly and successfully prevented further spread.

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The Anambra State Fire Service has responded to and successfully contained three separate fire incidents recorded in Awka and Onitsha between Monday and Tuesday. The incidents occurred at Keystone Bank, Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, Onitsha; a one-storey commercial building at Ifite Road, Amaenyi, Awka; and a bookshop building at No. 3 Venin Ezeani Street, Awada, Onitsha. No life was lost in any of the incidents.

Chiketa attributed the fire at Keystone Bank to a power surge and the commercial building fire to an electrical fault, possibly from an overloaded appliance. The cause of the bookshop fire remained undetermined at the time of reporting. The fire at the commercial building, which began around midnight, required firefighters to battle it into the following day, affecting two shops and their contents. Fortunately, no lives were lost in any of the incidents.

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The fire affected the roofing materials, portions of the walls and some properties stored inside the affected shops. The fire was suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault, possibly involving an electric iron that was left plugged in and overheated.