Anambra State has witnessed multiple fire outbreaks between Sunday and Tuesday, causing damage to properties and goods in different locations.
The incidents occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on Sunday, and two separate locations on Tuesday—a residential building on Nkisi Road Housing Gate, Fegge, Onitsha, and a building along Ekwueme Square Road, opposite XFit, Awka.
The Anambra State Fire Service, led by Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the outbreaks and attributed them to carelessness and harmattan weather, which makes fire spread quickly.
The fire at UNIZIK reportedly started from bush burning and spread to one of the buildings near the bush. Firefighters arrived at the scene around 12:10 p.m. on Sunday and battled the flames until 4:20 p.m., preventing the fire from spreading to other buildings.
An eyewitness said, “The fire damaged part of the building, but the firefighters arrived on time and stopped it from escalating further.”
On Tuesday, a fire broke out at a residential building on Nkisi Road Housing Gate, Fegge, Onitsha, around 4:53 p.m. Firefighters responded promptly and extinguished the flames.
Another fire occurred at Ekwueme Square Road in Awka around 1:49 p.m. It was caused by a bush fire, but firefighters contained it before it could spread to nearby properties.
The Anambra State Fire Service issued a statement confirming the incidents and advised residents to be cautious during the harmattan season.
“Always clear the grasses around your surroundings with caution,” the statement read. “Fire travels fast during the harmattan, and negligence can lead to severe damage.”
The statement added that no lives were lost in any of the incidents.
In each case, firefighters acted swiftly to prevent further damage. The fire service urged the public to take preventive measures and avoid unsafe practices like bush burning during this dry season.
