Timber Market Inferno: Traders Lament Heavy Losses, Market Boss Commends Onitsha South LG Chairman, Residents for Swift Response
By Oge Onyeanusi, Onitsha
Traders at the Timber Market, located in the Bridgehead area of Onitsha, are counting their losses after a devastating fire engulfed the market in the early hours of Thursday which consumed several shops and goods worth millions of naira, has left many traders devastated and in despair
Despite the extent of the damage, efforts by emergency responders and residents mitigated what could have been an even greater tragedy.
However, swift intervention by the Onitsha South Local Government Chairman and local residents helped prevent the situation from escalating further.
Speaking to newsmen. Hon. Chinedu Ezekwike, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Bridgehead Market, commended the quick response of the Onitsha South Local Government Chairman, who promptly mobilized resources to assist in controlling the fire.
He also praised residents and traders for their collective efforts in salvaging some goods and curbing the spread of the flames.
“This quick intervention saved countless lives and prevented further destruction. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Onitsha South LG Chairman and our courageous. Hon. Ezekwike stated.
According to him, the cause of the fire remains unclear, but eyewitnesses reported that it started from one section of the market and quickly spread due to the highly flammable materials stored in the area. Efforts by firefighters to control the blaze were hindered by poor access to the market and inadequate water supply.
Hon. Ezekwike also expressed deep sadness over the incident.
He assured traders that an investigation into the cause of the fire was already underway and promised that necessary steps would be taken to prevent future occurrences.
“This is a tragic loss for the entire market community. We are working with relevant authorities to determine the cause of this fire and to provide support to the affected traders,” Hon. Ezekwike stated.
Issuing a stern warning to traders in the Timber section, Hon. Ezekwike advised them to remove generators from inside their shops and ensure that all chemicals and other flammable materials are stored safely away to prevent potential fire outbreaks.
Also speaking, Chief Emmanuel Edochie, the Chairman of the Old Zinc Dealers & Function Makers Association, popularly known as the Timber section of the Bridgehead Market, described the incident as a monumental disaster.
He urged the government and well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of the traders, many of whom have lost their entire livelihoods.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has called for calm and assured the public that they will provide relief and support to the affected traders. Market officials have also urged traders to remain vigilant and take precautions to prevent future disasters.
some of the affected traders who spokes in their separate speeches Mr.Chibuike Promise and Uchenna tearfully recounted how they lost all their goods to the fire. “Everything I’ve worked for is gone. We don’t know how to start again,” they lamented.
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