At least one person has been confirmed dead, following Saturday’s fire that gutted the Mgbuka Obosi Spare Parts Market in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra.
News Agency of Nigeria, however, learnt that the deceased, identified simply as G.O.D and Chairman of Zone 11 in the market, did not die in the inferno.
He was said to have slumped in the market “after seeing that his five shops were completely destroyed by the fire.”
He was reportedly rushed to a private hospital in the area but eventually died.
It was gathered that the fire, which destroyed goods valued at millions of naira, started about 1:30 am.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra Command, Mr Edwin Okadigbo, confirmed the incident to NAN in Awka.
Okadigbo, an Assistant Superintendent, said nobody died in the fire because it occurred when traders had all retired to their homes.
He said, “No life was lost in the fire, but the chairman of Zone 11, one Mr G.O.D, slumped after seeing his five shops razed down by the fire.
“He was rushed to the hospital but later gave up the ghost.”
He said the fire destroyed many shops and goods because of the highly inflammable nature of the goods sold in the market.
He said the cause of the fire had not been ascertained but suspected it could either come from electrical fault or wildfire from the neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, the state Commandant of the corps, Mr David Bille, has expressed his condolences to the leadership of the market and traders, who lost their goods and other valuables, as well as the bereaved family.
(NAN)
