Four persons were feared dead while 12 others were injured following a suspected bomb explosion at a chemical market in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Shops and goods worth over N850 million were reportedly destroyed in the fire which resulted from the explosion.
The incident, which occurred around 12.45pm reportedly led to a stampede among the traders.
One of the traders, Nweke Uchenna, said: “We were at our shops when we heard a loud noise like a bomb blast and we saw thick smoke from some shops upstairs and everyone started running for safety.
“As some others shouted for help, we saw people carrying bodies from those shops on fire and some were badly burnt while some seemed to have suffocated from the smoke.
“We don’t know how much has been lost to the fire but it can be estimated around N850 million because the goods are strong chemical products.”
Chairman, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Mr Emeka Orji, contacted state Fire Service Chief, Martin Agbili who deployed his men that battled the fire in collaboration with their counterparts from Asaba, Delta State.
