An overnight fire Friday night has razed down parts of the Biafra Market, Sokoto Road close to River Niger, also known as Glorious Market Onitsha, Anambra State.
Eyewitnesses claim no life was lost in the late night inferno, but many traders were said to have sustained injuries in the process of trying to rescue their goods.
Vanguard reports that over 300 shops were razed down with goods worth over N50 million destroyed.
The Biafra Market is operated mainly by traders doing their businesses in shops constructed with pans occupying major parts of Sokoto Road near Onitsha Main Market to Kirk Road Junction Fegge, Onitsha South.
It’s a popular joint for shoppers of both male and female casual wears, shoes and other cloths including wrappers.
The Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Fegge Police Division, Mr. Ribiu Garba confirmed the incident, saying the fire which started at about 9 pm, affected U.S.A Line.
He claimed to be one of the first people to arrive at the scene alongside men of Okpoko Fire Service Station and their counterpart from Onitsha Main Market, who fought relentlessly to put off the fire.
A row of shops for aluminum workers behind the market was also affected as the traders had all gone home when the inferno started.
See pictures from the fire below.
