Goods and property estimated to be worth several millions of naira were destroyed when fire razed a commercial warehouse (name withheld) located at Tabansi Estate, Limca Road opposite Crunches, Nkpor, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that the fire, which occurred late on Saturday, caused chaos and panic around the vicinity, as residents living near the warehouse building struggled to salvage their belongings for fear that the fire might escalate.

Although there was no loss of life, eyewitnesses in the estate said the fire suddenly emanated from a corner of the building housing the warehouse, with residents seeing thick flames as it raged before the men of the State Fire Service arrived at the scene to put out the fire.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.”