A two-story building at Onitsha Main Market was on Tuesday morning razed by fire.
The fire which started around 4 a.m. destroyed the Main Market Police Division, Onitsha North Local Government market office, warehouses, shops, and goods worth millions of Naira, all housed in the building.
Also destroyed were furniture and other valuables.
Witnesses said the damage caused was enormous.
They lamented that men of the state fire service were delayed in responding to the outbreak, although their office was in the building and their truck was parked in front of the building when the fire started.
Market officials have confirmed the incident, saying that the fire service truck parked in front of the affected building was inoperative, Vanguard reports.
Chairman, Onitsha's main market, Chief Innocent Ezeoha said:
"It was on a tip-off that I was told about the fire that started about 4.00 am this morning and I had to rush.
"Damages have been done to the police block, Onitsha North Local Government market office, warehouses, shops, and even fire service office was touched by the time rescue teams came from the fire service Awka and Asaba, Delta State."
Also confirming, the Secretary, comrade Barth I. Obiorah lamented that, "It took about two hours after the commencement of the inferno, for the fire service men from Awka, to arrive and that of Asaba came much later.
"The office of the fire service men, Onitsha North Local Government market office, Onitsha Main Market police block, shops, and warehouses were touched.
"We lost a lot to the early morning fire, the entire wares, and items turned to ashes in the building housing those offices. The Commissioner for Special Duties tried to assist in quenching the inferno.
"However, we thank God that it did not escalate because of efforts put in place by all and sundry. Unfortunately, the fire service truck was in front of the building when the inferno started but was ineffective to function," Mr. Obiora said.
No casualty was reported.
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