Onitsha market inferno: CP sympathises with victims, pledges support 

The midnight fire which broke out at the Plumbing Material Section of the Head Bridge Market in the early hours of the day, destroyed items estimated at millions of naira across an unspecified number of affected shops in the market.

Traders and residents were said to had battled to control the fire before arrival of firefighters, while other victims wailed over losses they said had taken decades to accumulate.

But speaking during the visit to the market on Sunday in company of Divisional Police Officer, Headbridge Division, CSP Onyinaya Uche, alongside other relevant stakeholders in the market, the CP expressed deep sympathy to those affected by the unfortunate incident.

He assured of the Command’s support, particularly in ensuring the security of lives and property in the area to prevent further losses or exploitation by criminal elements.

While assessing extent of damage at the scene, Orutugu noted that preliminary information suggested the fire might have been caused by heat generated from the storage of inflammable materials, particularly pipes and possible non-adherence to fire safety regulations.

He commended the swift response of emergency responders, including the Fire Service and other relevant agencies, whose timely intervention helped to contain the situation and prevent further escalation. 

The CP who noted that no life was lost in the incident urged traders and residents to adhere strictly to safety guidelines, especially in the storage and handling of inflammable materials, to avert future occurrences.