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Property worth millions of naira was lost when a fire erupted at a commercial warehouse located in Tabansi Estate along Limca Road, directly opposite Crunches in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State. The warehouse, whose name remains confidential, was a vital storage facility for goods that supported various businesses in the region.
Local residents described the scene as chaotic, with firefighters battling towering flames that showed no mercy. Late Saturday night, a warehouse fire ignited fear and chaos in the surrounding community as residents rushed to safeguard their possessions. Worried the flames might engulf nearby buildings, many abandoned their homes, carrying whatever they could salvage.
Thankfully, no casualties were reported, though residents in the estate described the fire as sudden and intense. Witnesses said it originated from a corner of the building housing the warehouse, spreading rapidly and sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky. Firefighters from the State Fire Service eventually brought the flames under control.
A man identified only as Okey recounted the tense hours as firefighters fought to bring the raging blaze under control. Their relentless efforts ensured the fire did not leap to neighboring structures, averting what could have been a chain reaction of destruction.
He said, “The cause of the fire is still unknown, but we suspect it could be as a result of excessive heat, as the weather has been extremely hot. We suddenly observed a thick smoke coming out from a corner of the building, and before we knew what was happening, it started increasing and burning fast.
“The situation created fear as residents and other passers-by mobilised to quench the fire before firefighters arrived. While some people living around struggled to salvage some of their belongings for fear that the fire might escalate.”
The Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, led by the State Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.
Chiketa added that a crew of firefighters were deployed to the scene immediately after they were alerted, adding that after containing the fire, it reignited again, whereby more firemen were deployed again.
The statement said, “The Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call on Saturday, 14th December 2024 about a raging fire outbreak at the popular Tabansi Estate, Limca Road opposite Crunches, Nkpor, in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State.
“A crew of firefighters and firefighting equipment were deployed immediately to the scene, they fought and contained the fire.
“The fire affected a commercial (warehouse) building, but, there was no loss of life. The cause of the fire is unknown.
“The firemen withdrew from the scene after battling with the fire, but later at 0130 hours of Saturday, at the already contained fire scene, along Limca Road, opposite Crunches, Nkpor in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State, the Anambra State Fire Service re-deployed a crew of firefighters and firefighting equipment upon an uproar that the fire re-ignited.
“The firemen returned to the scene and did proper damping. The general public is advised to remain fire conscious and stay safe.”
