A fire has engulfed numerous shops at Orba Market International in the Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, causing significant destruction.
The inferno, which ignited around midnight, engulfed sections of the market where items such as drinks, foams, gallons, provisions, and other materials were sold.
A resident of the area who reported the incident, expressed the magnitude of the loss, with goods worth millions of naira destroyed.
Another resident also lamented about the situation, stating that the shop owners were not present during the incident, making it a particularly disheartening start to the New Year.
According to Chief Fire Officer Daniel Ohaa, the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service swiftly responded to the midnight fire.
Two trucks were deployed to the scene to combat the flames, preventing further damage. Ohaa acknowledged the significant role of having a fire service office close to Orba, facilitating the prompt response and rescue operations.
While much property was unfortunately destroyed, the timely intervention helped save a considerable amount.
In a related incident, another fire outbreak occurred at Dosunmu Street, Lagos Island area of Lagos State, resulting in the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service managed to contain the fire, which involved three-story buildings.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and an investigation will reveal further details.
The incident impacted various goods, including key lock/cylinder, decoration fittings, and Christmas items.
The frequency of fire incidents in the country is becoming a concerning trend, with this incident in Enugu adding to a series of recent outbreaks.