A fire broke out in the White House section of the Onitsha Market in Anambra State, an area locally known as “Gbongboro.” This part of the market functions as a warehouse and a hub for selling lace and other clothing materials, and it is situated at the rear of the market. The blaze began in the early hours of Tuesday, destroying goods worth millions of naira.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Traders were seen scrambling in a chaotic rush to salvage what they could while calling for the fire service. An eyewitness reported, “The fire started at the White House where they sell lace materials. The place was supposed to be a motor park and an emergency exit, but people blocked it with illegal structures approved by some government agencies. Even when the fire service arrives, there may be no entry point for them to fight the fire, and the traders cannot get in to save their items, which has allowed the fire to continue raging.”
As of 9:20 a.m., the state fire chief, Martin Agbili, could not be reached for comment while the fire was still burning. When contacted, state police spokesman DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said, “The details are still sketchy, but the situation is being monitored and firefighters, operatives, and police are on site. Further information will be communicated.”
Details to follow.
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